FROM   THE   LIBRARY  OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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COUNSELS    AND    KNOWLEDGE 


FROM 


THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 


REV.  FREDERICK  WHITFIELD,  M.A., 

-i  NIOB  OUBATH  OF  QBRR5WICH, 

LATR   INCUMIiKNT  OF   K  IRH Y-RA VKNSWOKTH ,   YORKSHIRE, 
AND  ASSISTANT    MINISTER    OF   ST.    GILES-IN-THE  FIELDS,    LONDON. 


EDITED  BY  REV.  CHARLES  W.  QUICK. 


THIRD  AMERICAN,   FROM   THE    SECOND    LONDON    EDITION.    REVISED. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
JAMES     A.    MOORE, 

1222  ami  1224  sanmiM  STRUT. 


INTRODUCTION 


TO    THE    FIRST    AMERICAN    EDITION 


The  distinguishing  feature  of  the  instructions  of  the  author 
of  this  volume  is  his  supreme  exaltation  of  the  word  of 
God.  The  reader  is  not  asked  to  compare  his  experience 
with  previous  frames  and  feelings,  nor  to  measure  himself 
by  any  human  standard,  however  excellent  and  spiritual 
they  may  be.  And  further,  he  is  neither  required  nor  ex- 
horted to  adopt  inspired  patterns  for  his  own  guidance  fur- 
ther than  they  arc4,  shewn  by  the  Holy  Spirit  to  have  fol- 
lowed Christ.  Such  a  feature  and  characteristic  in  these 
days  of  creature  worship  and  of  self-reliance  cannot  be  too 
highly  commended,  and  by  those  who  prize  the  lively  ora- 
cles of  God  those  traits  should  be  appreciated,  and  the  works 
in  which  they  appear  conspicuously  ought  to  be  made 
available  for  doing  good. 

The  reader  of  the  following  volume  will  find  due  honor 
given  to  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  calling,  regenerat- 
ing, and  preparing  covenant  souls  for  "the  inheritance 
of  the  saints  in  light."  The  entire  dependence  of  the  car- 
nal and  unregenerate  sinner  upon  the  sovereign  and  cove- 
nant work  of  the  Third  Person  of  the  Trinity  is  brought 
out  frequently,  naturally,  and  without  any  strained  effort. 

(iii) 


IV     INTRODUCTION    TO    THE    FIRST   AMERICAN    EDITION. 

"  The  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth,"  but  "  the  wind  also 
goeth  according  to  its  circuits."  In  spiritual  things  the 
Spirit  moves  or  rests,  is  strong  or  gentle;  it  whispers  in 
the  still  small  voice  of  sadness  and  seriousness,  or  roars  in 
the  conscience  with  the  loud  storms  of  deep  and  pungent 
conviction,  all  as  He  pleaseth,  "  dividing  to  every  one  sev- 
erally as  He  will."  "  For,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  as  the 
rain  cometh  down,  and  the  snow  from  heaven,  and  return- 
eth  not  thither,  but  watereth  the  earth,  and  maketh  it 
bring  forth  and  bud,  that  it  may  give  seed  to  the  sower, 
and  bread  to  the  eater  :  so  shall  my  word  be  that  goeth  forth 
out  of  my  mouth  :  it  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but 
shall  accomplish  that  which  I  please,  and  it  shall  prosper 
in  the  thing  whereto  I  sent  it.   Isaiah  lv,  10,  11. 

The  careful  and  experienced  author  also  brings  out  the 
revealed  fact  that  the  Holy  Spirit  uses  the  word  of  God 
written,  and  the  testimony  of  Jesus  as  therein  contained, 
for  the  chief  and  God-glorifying  means  of  all  his  operations. 
He  may  be  pleased  to  work  immediately -upon  some  minds, 
but  whenever  means  are  used,  the  word  of  God  is  exclu- 
sively used.  The  public  or  private  teacher  can  have  no 
warrant  for  any  other  means,  and  no  hope  for  success  in 
the  use  of  any  other  truth  than  that  which  is  in  Jesus  and 
presented  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

The  reader  will  not  find  a  systematic  arrangement  of 
.Bi^le  truth,  nor  any  connected  series  of  expository  dis- 
courses. The  familiar  expositions  of  different  portions  of 
Scripture  are  reproduced  as  they  were  given,  and  arising 
out  of  the  varied  occurrences  of  a  pastoral  and  parochial 
connection.  They  show  that  the  mind  of  the  under  shep- 
herd was  carefully  watching  the  dealings  of  Providence 
connected  with  the  people  of  his  charge,  and,  as  far  as  pos- 


INTRODUCTION   TO   THE    FIRST   AMERICAN    EDITION.       V 

sible,  the  progress  of  the  Spirit's  work  in  their  ever  chang- 
ing and  fresh  Christian  experience)  or  in  the  want  of  such 
experience.  And,  according  to  his  discernment,  the  faith- 
ful watchman  divided  to  each  a  portion  of  the  word  of  truth. 
This  accounts  for  the  familiar,  personal,  and  affectionate 
style  of  writing.  The  flow  of  thought,  and  the  tone  of 
earnestness  show  a  deep  personal  interest  and  anxiety  for 
the  welfare  of  the  people  instructed,  which  cannot  be  sup- 
posed applicable  to  others  remote  from  his  field  of  labor. 
But  in  proportion  as  any  one  making  use  of  the  volume 
for  public  instruction  and  effort  has  a  burden  of  interest  in 
the  soul's  welfare  of  those  providentially  brought  in  contact 
with  him,  in  the  same  degree  he  will  enter  with  entire  sym- 
pathy into  the  fervid  spirit,  the  tender  persuasiveness,  and 
the  solemn  engagedness  of  the  gifted  author. 

We  feel  convinced  that  the  promoter  and  prompter  of 
that  earnestness  which  characterizes  the  writings  and 
preaching  of  the  author  will  not  escape  the  notice  of  the 
reader,  as  we  trust  it  will  not  fail  to  charm  and  influence 
him.  It  is  stated  in  the  preface,  and  felt  all  through  his 
works,  and  is  the  hope  of  the  waiting  Church,  "  the  glori- 
ous appearing  of  our  Great  God  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ." 
[Gr.  T.]  This  hope  was  the  strong  anchor  and  the  strong 
consolation  of  the  Apostles  and  of  their  immediate  con- 
verts. For  ages  it  remained  the  great  comfort  of  the  per- 
secuted and  tried  household  of  the  faith,  and  in  late  years 
it  has  been  revived  and  is  now  hailed  and  cherished  by  an 
increasingly  large  proportion  of  those  who  enjoy  "  the  com- 
mon salvation."  There  is  "one  hope  of  our  calling,"  and 
that  is  the  hope,  not  of  the  individual,  but  of  the  body  of 
Christ  as  such.  It  is  not  varied  by  frames  and  feelings, 
and  according  to  its  brightness  will  be  the  believer's  dead- 


VI     INTRODUCTION    TO    THE    FIRST   AMEBIC  AN   EDITION. 

ness  to  the  world  and  his  conformity  unto  the  image  of  t- 
Son  of  God. 

In  the  making  up  of  the  present  volume  it  was  found 
that  several  pages  were  needed  to  complete  the  last  form, 
and  these  have  been  filled  with  matter  of  the  same  general 
kind,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  imbued  with  the  same  evan- 
gelical spirit.  And  now,  with  the  sole  desire  of  promot- 
ing the  Gospel,  and  of  enlarging  the  extent  and  influence 
of  a  testimony  for  Christ  of  peculiar  directness  and  clear- 
ness, this  box  of  spikenard  is  presented  to  the  readers  to 
whom  God  in  His  providence  may,  through  the  efforts  of 
the  Lord's  people,  send  it.  To  them  we  would  say  in  the 
words  of  the  Apostle  Paul,  "  Therefore,  my  beloved  breth- 
ren, be  ye  steadfast,  unmoveable,  always  abounding  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your  labor 
is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord."  1  Cor.  xv,  58. 

C.  W.  Q. 

July,  1873. 


PREFACE 


"  Have  not  I  written  to  thee  excellent  tilings  in  counsels 
and  knowledge,  that  I  might  make  thee  know  the  cer- 
tainty of  the  words  of  truth;  that  thou  mightest  answer 
the  words  of  truth  to  them  that  send  unto  thee?"  (Prov. 
xxii,  20,  21).  I  trust  that  my  book  may  in  some  small 
measure  fulfill  this,  the  great  design  at  all  times  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  in  making  known  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

At  the  request  of  several  correspondents,  I  have  pur- 
posely made  the  chapters  of  this  book  shorter  than  those 
of  my  previous  volumes,  in  order  that  they  ma*y  form 
family  readings  for  Sunday  or  week-day;  tin1  chapters  in 
the  previous  works  being  too  long  for  this  purpose. 

They  have  been  written  in  the  intervals  of  pressing  du- 
ties, and  form  the  outlines,  many  of  them,  of  sermons 
preached  in  the  parish  church  of  Tunbridge,  while  it  was 
my  privilege  to  be  there  as  its  temporary  minister.  I 
trust,  though  there  is  little  about  them  worthy  of  meeting 
the  public  eye,  there  may  be  some  few  grains  of  truth  in 
the  midst  of  the  chaff  by  which  they  are  surrounded,  which 
th<i  God  of  all  grace  may  use  for  His  glory. 

How  solemn  and  startling  are  the  times  in  which  we 

Whether  we  look  at   them   nationally,    politically, 

illy,  or  religiously,  clouds  are  gathering  over  our  hori- 

.  of  a  deep  and  dark  hue,  and  with  which  no  previous 

(vii) 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

history  of  our  world  furnishes  a  parallel.  The  tragical 
character  of  the  murders  which  of  late  years  have  stained 
the  columns  of  our  press,  the  startling  revelations  of  trades- 
unionism,  the  atrocities  of  Fenianism,  the  increasing  worth- 
less account  in  which  human  life  is  held,  all  are  lines  in 
the  dark  picture,  of  a  unique  character.  If  we  look  at 
the  Church,  we  see  a  picture  equally  saddening.  Roman- 
ism, Rationalism,  and  Ritualism  are  advancing  with  giant 
strides.  Mark  the  fierceness  of  the  contending  parties,  as 
the  thick  of  the  battle  is  approaching,  threatening  to  cul- 
minate in  deadly  feuds.  If  we  look  at  the  general  aspect 
of  Europe,  at  those  kingdoms  over  which  imperial  Rome 
once  bore  sway,  what  do  we  see  ?  Under  the  appearance 
and  profession  of  friendship,  there  is  a  universal  prepara- 
tion for  war  by  increasing  their  respective  armaments.  If 
we  look  at  things  generally,  is  it  not  true  that  with  regard 
to  everything,  both  of  good  and  evil,  the  lines  of  things 
are  becoming  more  distinctly  marked?  The  reserve  of 
past  years  is  giving  way  to  definite  utterances.  Each  year, 
as  it  rolls  over  our  heads,  seems  to  give  a  coloring  to  the 
outline,  to  intensify  the  picture.  And  though  it  is  true 
that  as  each  wave  beats  upon  the  shore  of  time,  and  the 
echoes  of  it  still  linger  on  our  ears,  we  are  apt  to  regard 
it  as  more  important  than  that  of  any  previous  year,  sim- 
ply because  the  lines  of  the  previous  ones  have  faded  from 
the  memory,  yet  notwithstanding  all  this,  does  not  each 
one  as  it  comes  round  assume  an  importance  possessed  by 
no  previous  one  ?  Is  it  not  pregnant  with  more  startling 
events,  and  with  a  deeper  meaning  ?  Where  will  all  this 
end  ?  What  shall  be  the  issue  ?  The  child  of  God  is  at 
no  loss  for  an  answer.  They  are  hastening  on  the  goal  of 
his  wishes.     The  night  grows  darker,  but  it  only  shrouds 


PREFACE.  l\ 

an  nnsetting  sun.     Tli«  •  day-dawn  shall  soon  arise.     With 
all  the  constellations  of  the  universe  encircling  His  brow, 
the  clouds  so  big  with  judgment  shall  shortly  discloa 
our  enraptured  view  the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords. 

But  in  the  meantime  the  night  is  growing  darker,  and 
many  a  weary  and  foot-sore  traveler  to  Zion  is  out  on  the 
open  plain.  As  the  deepening  shadows  fall  around,  they 
bid  him  gird  his  garments  about  him  and  hasten  his  foot- 
Bteps.  They  warn  him  to  tarry  not  in  all  the  plain,  to  look 
not  behind  him,  but  to  press  onward  with  renewed  energy 
to  the  city  of  light  that  gleams  in  the  distance.  The  faint 
echoes  of  the  trumpet  cry  are  falling  on  his  ears  from  that 
city,  "Behold,  the  Bridegroom  cometh."  Burnish  the 
rusted  armor  !  Brighten  the  waning  lamp  !  Gird  up  the 
trailing  garments  !  Grasp  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  firmly 
in  hand !  The  foe  is  at  the  door !  Woe  to  him  who  is 
found  slumbering  on  the  field!  "Rise,  and  let  us  go 
hence."  Watch  and  pray.  Clear  the  hands  of  every  in- 
consistency. Let  no  cloud  or  shadow  hinder  the  light  of  a 
Saviour's  countenance  falling  on  the  soul.  Have  done  with 
compromise  and  concession.  Be  whole-hearted  for  Christ. 
Whatever  you  neglect,  beware  of  neglecting  secret  com- 
munion with  God.  Whatever  it  may  cost  you,  see  that 
you  are  found  clearly  and  unmistakably  on  the  Lord's  side. 
If  you  would  have  Him  faithful  to  you  in  an  hour  which 
will  be  of  all  others  most  trying,  see  that  you  are  His  now 
— wholly  His,  clearly  His,  and  none  but  His. 

Reader,  may  the  Lord  find  you  so  when  He  shall  come ! 

Bozeat  Vicarage, 

Wellingborough, 

March,  1868. 


CONTENTS 


grace  abounding   . 
living  sacrifices  . 
Paul's  address  at  antioch 
the  passage  of  the  jordan 
the  syrian  leper  . 
the  ascended  saviour  . 
israel  in  the  wilderness 
the  good  profession 
the  supper  chamber 
thirsting  for  god 

god's  ANSWER  TO  the  sinner's  QUESTION 

THE  WOMEN  AT  THE  SEPULCHER 

THE  BLIND  MAN  OF  BETHSAIDA 

LESSONS  FROM  THE  WELL  OF  SYCHAR 

BREAD  CAST  ON  THE  WATERS 

CONTRASTS 

SIMEON  IN  THE  TEMPLE      . 

PARTING  WORDS 

THE  COMING  OF  CHRIST       . 

THE  COMMUNION  OF  SAINTS 


PAGE 
.        11 


.     21 

.  29 
.  43 
.  53 
.  66 
.  81 
.  83 
.  97 
.  102 
.  110 
.  118 
.  125 
.  133 
.  148 
.  159 
.  168 
.  183 
.  194 
.  203 


M 


COUNSELS  AND  KNOWLEDGE  FROM  THE 
WORDS  OF  TRUTE 


GEACE  ABOUNDING. 
Psalm  cv,  39—43. 

m 
"He  spread  a  cloud  for  a  oorering,  and  fire  to  give  light  in  the  night. 
The  people  asked,  and  he  brought  quails,  ami  satisfied  them  with  the  bread 
of  heaven.  He  opened  the  rock,  ami  the  waters  pushed  «»ut;  they  ran  in 
the  dry  placet  like  a  river.  F«.r  he  remembered  his  holy  promise, 
Abraham  his  servant.  And  he  brought  forth  his  people  with  Joy,  and  Ins 
.  with  glad i. 

The  history  of  Israel  in  the  desert  is  but  the  counterpart 
of  the  history  of  the  Church  of  the  living  God  in  her 
passage  through  this  world.  It  is  a  history  of  God's 
grace  triumphing  over  man's  sin.  On  the  one  hand,  we 
behold  murmuring,  rebellion,  unbelief,  and  sin;  on  the 
other,  long-suffering,  forbearance,  wondrous  grace,  and 
unchanging  love.  Such  are  the  striking  features  in  the 
portion  of  Scripture  we  have  selected  for  consideration. 

How   graciously   the   Spirit    of  God  in   these    v 
throws  a  veil  over  the  failings  and  sins  of  Israel!     The 
people  ask,  but  nothing  is  said  of  the  sin  connected  with 
their  asking.     The  people  have  the  rock  opened  for  them, 
but  their  unbelief  connected  with  that  opening  is 
over.      True,  this  part  of  their   history   has  its  place,  but, 

1] 


12   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

not  here.  The  Spirit  of  God  is,  throughout  this  chapter, 
bringing  to  view  all  the  sins  and  iniquities  of  their 
enemies.  When  His  own  people  are  placed  alongside  of 
them,  He  seems  to  say,  "  I  have  not  beheld  iniquity  in 
Jacob."  When,  however,  He  deals  with  them  apart  from 
their  enemies,  in  the  next  chapter,  when  they  are  alone  in 
the  desert,  then  all  their  sins  and  failings  are  drawn  with 
the  point  of  a  diamond,  and  the  needed  discipline  to  correct 
it.  Before  their  foes,  Israel  is  all  perfection,  and  God  all 
grace.  Alone  in  the  desert,  He  causes  them  to  pass  under 
the  rod  to  purge  away  their  dross.  Thus  is  God  at  all 
times.  To  the  world  He  says,  "  He  that  toucheth  one  of 
these  little  ones,  it  were  better  for  him  that  a  millstone 
were  hanged  about  his  neck,  and  he  cast  into  the  sea." 
To  them  He  says,  "  You  only  have  I  known  of  all  the 
families  of  the  earth  :  therefore  will  I  punish  you  for  your 
iniquities." 

"  He  spread  a  cloud  for  a  covering  :  and  fire  to  give  light 
in  the  night."  This  cloud  was  the  vehicle  of  the  Divine 
presence  (see  Exodus  xiv,  19-24).  It  is  referred  to  again 
in  Isaiah  vi,  4.  It  is  the  cloud  of  glory  alluded  to  so 
frequently  in  Ezekiel's  vision.  It  is  the  same  as  that  on 
the  mount  of  transfiguration,  and  on  the  mount  of  ascen- 
sion. The  Lord  Jesus  is  seen  in  the  cloud.  He  is  the 
true  "  covering"  of  His  people.  He  it  is  that  is  "  spread  " 
over  them  by  day  and  by  night  during  their  wilderness 
iourney.  He  is  their  "  light  "  in  the  night.  He  "  goeth 
before  them,"  calling  them  by  name,  and  leading  them  in 
and  out  of  the  fold  that  they  may  find  pasture.  He  is 
their  "  covering  "  from  every  charge  of  sin,  in  every  hour 
of  sorrow,  in  every  moment  of  danger.  Whatever  foe 
might  advance  to  assail  Israel,  it  had  to  meet  the  cloud, 


LCE    A  B0T7H  Dl  I  13 

and  the  arrow  that  would  reach  th< 
ranks  mu.<t  first  go  through   it.     The   Shepherd  "goeth 
His  sheep,  not  only  as  their  Lead  r,  but  first  to 

►unter  the  foe,  and  to  remoi  in  their 

way.     Such  was  the  God-spread  covering  of  Israel.     Such 

Ihrist,  the  true  covering  spread  by  11- iv  m  ov  r  • 
child  of  the  kingdom. 

only  so,   it   was   theirs  What'  ver   else 

might  be  taken  away,  that  would  never  be  removed 

dus  xiii,  22).  They  fell  into  sin,  but  the  cloud  was 
there.  They  murmured,  rebelled,  wandered  from  G 
still  the  cloud  left  them  not  So  it  is  with  Jesus.  Pet  r 
fell ;  the  sons  of  Zebedee  fell;  all  the  disciples  forsook  Him 
and  fled:  their  history,  like  Israel's  of  form -r  days,  and 
like  ours  in  this  day,  was  one  of  constant  failure  and  sin. 

He  never  left  them.  When  all  others  failed  He 
true.  And  God's  continued  word  to  His  people,  whether 
in  Old  or  New  Testament  history,  is,  "  Fear  not:  for  I  am 
with  thee;"  "Lo,  I  am  with  you  always."  "He  took 
not  away  the  pillar  of  the  clou  1  by  day,  nor  the  pillar  of 
fire  by  night  from  before  the  people."  "Having  loved 
His  own  which  were  in  the  world,  He  loved  them  to  the 
end."     "I  will  never  K  nor  forsake  thee."     "I 

have  graven  thee  on  the  palms  of  my  hands;  thy  walls 

."     l>  Why  sayest  thou,  0  Jacob, 
and  •  0  Israel,  My  way  is  hid  from  the  Lord,  and 

my  judgment  is  >ver  from  my  God  ?     Hast  thou 

not  known0  hast  thou  not  heard,  that  th  ■  everlasting  God, 
the  Lord,  the  Creator  of  the  ends  of  the  earth,  fainteth 
not,  neither  is  weary  ?  there  is  no  searchin  -  under- 

standing. Ih-  giveth  power  to  the  faint;  and  to  them 
that  have    no  might  lie  mereaseth  strength.     Even 


II        COUNSELS    FROM    THE  WORDS    OF   TRUTH. 

youths  shall  faint  and  be  weary,  and  the  young  men  shall 
utterly  fall :  but  they  that  wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  renew 
their  strength  ;  they  shall  mount  up  with  wings  as  eagles ; 
they  shall  run,  and  not  be  weary ;  and  they  shall  walk, 
and  not  faint." 

The  "  cloud "  was  indeed  a  "  covering."  It  was  the 
most  perfect  expression  of  the  Lord  Jesus  on  record.  It 
went  with  Israel  from  the  very  midst  of  Egypt  to  the  very 
borders  of  Canaan — that  is,  from  the  very  moment  it  was 
needed,  till  it  was  needed  no  longer.  It  was  in  the  wil- 
derness, because  Israel  was  there.  It  was  just  whatever 
Israel  needed  it  to  be.  No  man  dwelt  where  Israel  was 
about  to  travel.  There  were  no  sign-posts  there,  no  bread, 
no  water.  It  led  them  to  the  rock  and  brought  food  to 
ieed  them.  It  made  them  independent  of  highways  and 
sign-posts  in  the  trackless  wilderness.  If  they  needed 
cloud  and  fire,  it  was  that.  If  they  needed  light  and 
darkness,  it  was  that ;  and  this  at  the  self-same  moment. 
It  is  destruction  and  death  if  they  need  that;  for  the 
glory  of  Egypt  withers  under  the  Eye  that  looks  through 
it,  and  the  host  is  troubled  and  overthrown.  And  is  not 
Jesus  all  this  now  to  His  people  ?  Mark  the  moving  of 
this  holy  cloud  in  the  New  Testament !  See  if  He  was 
not  then  all  this  and  much  more  to  His  people !  And 
such  is  He  still  to  each  one,  the  weakest  and  feeblest  in 
the  camp.  "  I  am  the  Lord,  I  change  not ;  therefore  ye 
sons  of  Jacob  are  not  consumed." 

"  The  people  asked,  and  He  brought  quails,  and  satisfied 
them  with  the  bread  of  heaven."  A  veil  is  thrown  over 
the  sin  connected  with  their  asking.  God  meets  us  ac- 
cording to  the  riches  of  His  grace,  and  not  according  to 
our  deserts.     They  ask,  and  the  quails,  or  small  red  par- 


GRACE   ABOUNDING.  15 

bridges,  come  and  surround  the  camp.  He  satisfies  them 
with  the  bread  of  heaven.  Christ  is  the  living  bread 
which  came  down  from  heaven.  If  the  soul  of  man  is 
indeed  to  be  satisfied,  it  must  be  by  something  above  this 
world.  Over  every  stream  of  joy  on  earth  there  is  written 
with  the  pen  of  heaven,  "  Whosoever  drinketh  of  this 
water  shall  thirst  again."  Only  Jesus  can  fill  man's  crav- 
ing void.  The  world  may  tempt  and  dazzle  and  excite; 
but  man,  to  be  satisfied,  must  look  elsewhere.  The  eye 
on  Jesus,  there  is  satisfaction.  The  heart  filled  with 
Jesus,  there  is  joy.  The  burden  laid  on  Jesus,  oh,  there 
is  rest !  Header,  do  you  know  it  ?  Do  you  know  it  by 
experience  f  You  can  never  enter  into  joy  till  joy  enters 
into  you.  The  only  joy  which  is  not  mockery  is,  to  know 
Jesus.  To  know  Him  is  to  have  passed  from  death  unto 
life.  That  soul  has  eternal  life  now,  and  only  waits  for 
the  resurrection  body.  The  new  life  must  have  a  new 
body  to  match  it.  The  one  we  have  in  knowing  Jesus ; 
the  other  we  shall  have  very  shortly. 

"  He  opened  the  rock,  and  the  waters  gushed  out."  In 
1  Corinthians  x,  4,  we  are  told  that  "  that  Bock  was 
Christ."  By  referring  to  the  Books  of  Exodus  and 
Numbers  we  see  how  that  rock  was  opened.  The  first 
command  to  Moses  was  to "  smite  the  rock."  On  the 
second  occasion  he  was  told  to  "  speak  to  the  rock." 
Moses,  however,  in  rashness  and  unbelief  disobeyed  God, 
and  instead  of  speaking  to  the  rock,  he  smote  it  again. 
For  this  he  was  visited  with  judgment.  The  application 
of  this  truth  is  most  instructive.  Christ  is  the  Rock. 
He  was  once  smitten;  and  on  the  cross  of  Calvary  the 
living  streams  to  cleanse  the  soul  of  the  sinner  issued  forth. 
But  having  been  onoe  smitten,  He  needs  not  to  be  smitten 


16   COUNSELS  FEOM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

again.     "  By  one  offering  He  hath  perfected  forever  them 
that  are  sanctified."     We  need  no  repeated  sacrifice.     We 
have  now  only  to  "  speak  to  the  Rock."     Nay,  to  attempt 
a  repetition  is  to  show  our  unbelief  in  the  efficacy  of  that 
perfect  sacrifice.     To  smite  the  Rock  again,  is  simply  to 
say  we  do  not  believe  in  the  finished  work  of  the  Lord 
Jesus.     The  Rock  has  been  smitten ;  the  blood  has  been 
shad;  the   work  is  "finished."     Now,  the   command   is, 
Speak  to  the  Rock."     This  is  all  that  is  needed  to  bring 
down  the  healing  streams — "  the  living  waters  from  the 
river  of  life."     The  moment  the  soul  that  has-  looked  to 
Jesus  and   found   peace  begins   to   doubt,  he  smites   the 
Rock  again — he  doubts  the  efficacy  of  the  atoning  blood. 
No,  no.     The  work  is  done.     Sin  is  gone.     God  sees  none 
on  your  soul.     Hear  His  cry  to  thee,  trembling  one,  from 
the  cross,  "It  is  finished."     Thy  pardon  is  sealed.     Thy 
salvation  is  finished,  even  thine.     Smite  not   that   Rock 
again.     Speak  to  the  Rock,  speak  in  confidence,  speak  in 
thankfulness,  speak  in  praises,  speak,  and  plead  the  smit- 
ten virtues  of  the  one  offering  once  offered  for  thy  sins. 
Art   thou    burdened?    speak   to   the   Rock.      Art   thou 
wounded?   speak  to  the   Rock.     Art  thou  forsaken    and 
alone  ?  speak  to  the  Rock.     Do  troubles  assail  ?  do  looks 
change  ?  do  smiles  vanish  ?  speak  to  the  Rock.     Does  dis- 
ease invade  the  trembling  house  of  clay  ?  are  the  pillars 
of  thy  heart's  shrine  crumbling  beneath  thee?  does  the 
cold  river  of  death  spread  itself  before  thy  view  ?  speak  to 
the  Rock.     At  all  times,  in  all  places,  for  all  purposes,  in 
the  battle  of  life  or  in  the  stillness  of  the  dying  chamber, 
"speak  to  the  Rock,"  "  speak  to  the  Rock." 

11  He   opened   the   rock."     Not  thy  prayers,  but  God's 
grace.     Not  thy  speaking,  but  His  deep  compassion.     Not 


GRACE   ABOUNDING.  17 

because  of  anything  in  thee,  but  because  He  has  set  His 
love  upon  thee.  Oh,  yes  !  Remember  it  always,  "lie 
opened  the  rock." 

"And  the  waters  gushed  out."  What  a  sweet  expres- 
sive word,  they  "gushed "  out !  See  the  illustration ! 
A  compassionate  loving  being  visits  the  abodes  of  wretch- 
edness in  one  of  our  large  towns.  Suddenly  a  haggard, 
shattered  wreck  of  our  fallen  humanity  is  presented  to  her 
notice.  For  a  moment  she  gazes ;  then  the  bosom  heaves, 
and  the  pent-up  heart  gives  way  to  a  flood  of  tears.  This 
is  the  gushing  of  the  heart  at  the  sight  of  misery.  Pent- 
up  compassion  is  drawn  out  in  a  flood-tide  of  love.  Such 
was  the  Rock.  It  was  full  to  overflowing.  It  needed  but 
the  word  to  disclose  its  refreshing  streams,  so  that  the 
waters  ran  in  the  dry  places  like  a  river.  Such  was  Christ. 
Oh  the  deep  compassions  that  were  pent-up  in  the  bosom 
of  that  humble  Man  !  Mark  two  or  three  instances  in 
which  the  waters  gushed  out  from  this  smitten  Rock,  and 
ran  in  the  dry  places  of  our  world  like  a  river.  "And 
tht -re  came  a  leper  to  Him,  beseeching  Him,  and  kneeling 
down  to  Him,  and  saying  unto  Him,  If  Thou  wilt,  Thou 
<  -a nst  make  me  clean.  And  Jesus,  moved  with  compassion, 
put  forth  His  hand  and  touched  him,  saying,  I  will ;  be 
thou  clean."  Mark  another.  "And  Jesus,  when  He  came 
out,  saw  much  people,  and  was  moved  with  compassion  to- 
ward them,  because  they  were  as  sheep  not  having  a  shep- 
herd, and  Be  began  to  teach  them  many  things."  Again: 
u  When  He  beheld  the  city,  He  wept  over  it,  saying,  If 
thou  hadst  known,  even  in  this  thy  day,  the  things  that 
belong  to  thy  peace  :  but  now  they  are  hid  from  thine  eyes." 
Oh  how  the  living  waters  gushed  out  from  this  Rock, 
and  filled  the  dry  places  of  many  a  poor  wanderer's  heart 
2 


13        COUNSELS    FROM    THE   WORTS   OF   TRUTH. 

in  tne  highways  of  Galilee  and  Judaea !  There  was  no 
short  measure,  no  half-opened  hand,  no  mental  reservation. 
No ;  grace  came  forth  from  the  bosom  of  infinite  Love  in 
an  overflowing  stream.  Wherever  He  went,  men  "  spake 
to  the  Hock;"  spake  by  their  sins,  their  sorrows,  their  needs ; 
and  "  the  waters  ran  in  the  dry  places  like  a  river." 
One  who  had  experienced  the  grace  of  that  Eock  more 
deeply  than  most,  exclaims,  "  My  God  shall  supply  all 
your  need,  according  to  His  riches  in  glory  in  Christ 
Jesus."  Sinner,  see  what  a  precious  Saviour  is  thine ! 
See,  poor  trembling  one,  the  gushing  tide  of  love  in  that 
bosom  !  Measure  it  not  by  thy  thoughts ;  it  infinitely 
exceeds  them  all.  Judge  not  of  that  heart  by  any  picture, 
even  the  most  exalted.  No  thought  can  conceive  its  full- 
ness, no  line  can  sound  its  depth.  "  The  well  is  deep," 
deeper  far  than  all  the  needs  of  thy  needy  soul.  Say  not, 
"  Can  He  love  Tne?"  Say  not,  "I  fear  Jam  too  bad." 
Say  not,  "  Will  He  receive  me?"  Behold  the  gushing  tide 
of  love  in  that  bosom  ready  to  roll  "  like  a  river  "  over 
all  thy  sin  and  guilt  and  misery !  Behold  it  all  thine ! 
Grieve  that  love  no  longer  by  such  sinful  doubts.  Cast  no 
dishonor  on  that  precious  Saviour's  name.  "Speak  to  the 
Rock ;  "  speak  now  in  faith,  in  thankfulness  and  praise — 
"My  Lord  and  my  God  !  " 

Child  of  God,  are  there  no  dry  places  in  thy  soul  ?  are 
there  none  around  thee  ?  "  Yea,"  thou  art  ready  to  ex- 
claim, "  My  soul  thirsteth  for  Thee,  my  flesh  longeth  for 
Thee,  in  a  dry  and  thirsty  land  where  no  water  is."  Oh 
then,  "speak  to  the  Rock,"  "speak  to  the  Rock."  Let 
nothing  come  between  thy  soul  and  God.  Let  no  careless- 
ness of  walk,  no  inconsistency  of  conduct,  no  compromise 
with  what  is  grievous  to  God's  Spirit,  dim  thine  eye,  or 


GRACE   ABOUNDING.  19 

draw  a  cloud  between  thy  soul  and  Jesus.  "  Spcal:  to  the 
peak  often.  Let  nothing  rob  thy  soul  of  secret 
fellowship  with  Jesus.  Let  no  earthly  claim,  how 
important,  allow  thee  to  cut  short  the  time  devoted  to  this 
end.  Live  in  His  presence.  Let  the  light  of  His  counte- 
nance shin.'  clearly  on  thy  soul.  Be  found,  "in  sea* 
and  out  of  season,"  near  the  Hock.  Then  will  all  go  weD 
with  thy  soul. 

the  covering  of  His  people  ?     Is  He  their  light 
in  the  night?     Does  He  satisfy  them  with  the  bread  of 

yen?  Does  He  open  the  rock  that  the  waters  gush 
out?  Then  remember  the  source  of  it  all,  "for  He  re- 
membered His  holy  promise  and  Abraham  His  servant." 

i ember,  they  all  proceed  from  the  covenant  recorded 
in  the  fifteenth  chapter  of  Genesis.  Those  divided  pieces 
were  a  type  of  the  smitten  Lamb  of  God.  In  blessing 
Israel  with  all  these  blessings,  it  was  because  He  remem- 

•d  that  covenant.  It  was  before  God's  eye  continually. 
Love  makes  memory  retentive.  God  beholds  and  remem- 
bers the  sacrifice  of  His  dear  Son  on  Calvary.  It  is  very 
precious  to  Him.  He  so  loved  Him  that  memory  ever 
brings  before  Him  that  sacrifice.  For  the  sake  of  that 
sacrifice  we  are  blessed.  For  the  sake  of  that  sacrifice 
"joy  and  gladness"  are  the  heritage  of  His  people, 
and  the  smile  of  heaven  falls  unceasingly  upon  us. 
Let  us  not  forget  the  little  word  with  which  this  passage 
op  mis,  "for  He  remembered  His  holy  promise  and  Abra- 
ham His  servant.  And  He  brought  forth  His  people  with 
joy  and  His  chosen  with  gladness." 

Precious  Saviour !    what  a  treasure  art   Thou  to    Thy 
people  1     0  sinner,  taste  and  see  how  gracious  He  is  1 


20   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH, 

"  But  what  to  those  who  find  ? 
Ah  this  no  tongue  can  utter ;  this 
No  mortal  tongue  can  show. 
The  love  of  Jesus,  what  it  is, 
None  but  His  loved  ones  know." 


Blessed  be  God,  our  God ! 
Who  gave  for  us  His  well -beloved  Son, 
The  Gift  of  gifts,  all  other  gifts  in  one. 

Blessed  be  God,  our  God  I 

What  will  He  not  bestow, 
Who  freely  gave  this  mighty  Gift,  unbought, 
Unmerited,  unheeded,  and  unsought, 

What  will  He  not  bestow  ? 

He  spared  not  His  Son ! 
'Tis  this  that  silences  each  rising  fear ; 
'Tis  this  that  bids  the  hard  thought  disappear ; 

He  spared  not  His  Son ! 

Who  shall  condemn  us  now, 
Since  Christ  has  died,  and  risen,  and  gone  above, 
For  us  to  plead  at  the  right  hand  of  Love  ? 

Who  shall  condemn  us  now  ? 

'Tis  God  that  justifies. 
Who  shall  recall  His  pardon  or  His  grace  ? 
Or  who  the  broken  chain  of  guilt  replace  f 

'Tis  God  that  justifies ! 

The  victory  is  ours ! 
For  us  in  might  came  forth  the  mighty  One ; 
For  us  He  fought  the  fight,  the  triumph  won ; 

The  victory  is  ours  1 

BONARo 


LIVING    SACRIFICES.  21 


LIVING  SACEIFICES. 
Eomans  xii,  1,  2. 

"I  beseech  you  therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  that  ye  pre- 
sent your  bodies  a  living  sacrifice,  holy,  acceptable  unto  God,  which  is  your 
ice.    And  be  not  conformed  unto  this  world:  but  be  ye 
transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your  mind,  that  ye  may  prove  what  is  that 
good,  and  acceptable!  and  perfect  will  of  God." 

The  word  "  therefore  "  occurs  very  frequently  in  the  New 
bament  as  we  open  the  chapter.  It  is  the  golden 
link  which  connects  the  chapter  with  that  which  has 
preceded  it.  We  shall  always  do  well  to  look  back  and 
see  this  connection  before  we  proceed.  It  is  a  word  that 
in  every  case  throws  light  on  what  is  to  follow.  Mark  it 
in  these  opening  verses.  In  the  previous  chapter  (verses 
27;  30 — 32)  the  apostle  had  been  speaking  of  God's  m< 
to  Jews  and  G. -utiles,  by  the  putting  away  of  sin.  The 
word  "  therefore  "  in  the  opening  words  of  this  portion  of 
Scripture  connects  the  "  mercies  of  God"  with  the  pass* 

rred  to.  The  basis  of  entreaty  to  holiness  are  these 
11  mercies  of  God."  All  exhortation  to  holiness  of  life  must 
have  a  motive  from  which  that  holiness  is  to  spring.  To 
exhort  a  man  to  give  up  sin  and  to  be  holy,  without  that 
man  having  a  motive  for  it,  is  simply  impossible.     Man 


22   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

loves  sin,  and  cannot  give  it  up.  It  is  his  nature  to  love 
it.  But  let  the  Spirit  of  God  only  show  him  his  sin,  and 
the  love  of  God  in  having  forgiven  that  sin,  then  he  has 
a  powerful  lever  within  for  throwing  off  sin.  "  The  love 
of  Christ  constraineth "  him.  Now  this  is  what  is  set 
before  us  here.  Men  are  "besought"  to  be  holy  uby  the 
mercies  of  God."  All  attempts  at  holiness  without  this 
are  only  so  many  self-righteous  efforts.  Do  not  ask  men 
to  give  up  sin,  give  up  the  race-course,  the  ball,  the  dance, 
the  concert.  They  cannot  do  it.  They  love  the  world, 
and  to  it  they  will  go.  It  is  the  very  height  of  folly  to 
preach  in  this  way.  But  let  the  "  love  of  the  Father  " 
enter ;  let  them  see  Jesus ;  then  such  exhortations  may  be, 
ought  to  be,  addressed.  Men  love  these  things  because 
"  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  them."  Let  that  enter 
in,  and  they  cannot  "love  the  world."  Their  language 
will  be  that  of  Ephraim  of  old,  "  What  have  I  to  do  any 
more  with  idols  ?  " 

But  what  is  it  believers  are  to  " present"?  Their 
"  bodies."  We  should  have  expected  to  hear  the  apostle 
say  "  your  souls."  But  no,  it  is  the  body.  Why  is  this? 
Because  it  is  the  avenue  through  which  all  sin  enters  the 
soul.  The  eyes,  the  ears,  the  tongue,  the  hands,  the  feet ; 
these  are  some  of  the  avenues  to  the  soul  by  which  sin 
enters.  And  therefore  the  Spirit  of  God  begins  with  the 
body,  the  broad  road  by  which  all  travelers  enter  the 
citadel.  These  members  of  the  body,  both  individually  and 
corporately,  the  believer  is  to  "present."  The  word  is  an 
allusion  to  the  "  presenting  "  of  the  sacrifices  by  the  priest 
on  the  altar.  Each  part  of  the  slain  lamb  was  to  be  pre- 
sented, piece  by  piece,  in  due  order.  So  the  believer  is  now 
a  "priest  unto  God."     Like  the  priest  of  old,  he  stands  in 


LIVING  SACRI  FICES.  23 

the  very  presence  of  God.  He  Is  uever  out  of  it.  Like 
the  priest  of  old,  too,  each  member  of  the  sacrifice  is  to  be 
laid  on  the  altar,  Christ  Jesus,  to  His  glory.  His  e; 
his  ears,  his  hands,  his  Feet,  are  to  be  laid  out,  hour  after 
hour,  to  God's  glory.  Not  indeed  now,  like  the  sacrifices 
of  old,  having  the  blood,  the  life,  poured  out,  but  having 
the  life  in.  But  what  life?  The  new  life;  the  life  of 
Christ.  That  life  is  now  in  the  soul,  because  Christ  Him- 
self is  there.  "  Know  ye  not  that  your  bodies  are  the 
temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost?"  Therefore  it  is  that  the 
sacrifices  are  "living  sacrifices."  Only  this  can  make  any 
believer  be  a  "living"  man.  Christ  is  in  him,  "the  hope 
of  glory."  Therefore  all  is  life,  real  life,  everlasting  life. 
Therefore  the  whole  man  in  all  his  parts  is  to  be  presented 
as  a  " sacrifice,  holy,  acceptable  to  God."  It  is  a  "reason- 
able service."  God  is  not  unreasonable.  He  asks  not 
more  than  we  by  His  Spirit's  power  can  give.  Has  He 
indeed  shown  such  mercy  to  us  while  sinners  ?  Has  He 
multiplied  His  mercies  every  day  and  every  hour  ?  Then 
indeed  it  is  only  "reasonable"  that  we  should  lay  out  all 
to  His  glory.  It  is  the  service  of  an  intelligent  creature. 
He  has  bought  us.  We  are  not  our  own.  Therefore  we 
are  to  glorify  God  in  our  bodies,  and  in  our  spirits,  which 
are  the  Lord's." 

We  may  notice  two  aspects  in  these  verses.  In  the  first, 
the  believer  is  brought  before  us  in  relation  to  God.  In 
the  second,  he  is  viewed  in  relation  to  the  world  in  which 
he  lives.  He  is  to  "present  his  body  a  living  sacrifice"  to 
God.  But  then  he  is  in  the  "  world,"  and  that  world  is 
the  great  hindrance  to  this.  On  every  side  and  in  every 
hour  of  the  day,  influences  are  playing  upon  him  counter- 
acting God's  work.     This  is  the  dazzling,  blinding,  ensnar- 


24   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

ing  world,  under  the  government  of  "the  prince  of  the 
power  of  the  air,  the  spirit  that  now  worketh  in  the 
children  of  disobedience."  In  this  world  lies  all  his  danger. 
There  are  two  moulds;  one  is  the  Spirit  of  God,  the  other 
is  the  world.  The  Christian  is  like  the  molten  metal. 
Into  which  of  these  moulds  will  he  be  cast  ?  He  may  be  a 
Christian,  and  yet  so  walk  as  to  be  moulded  by  "  this  present 
world."  Do  we  not  see  Christians  on  every  side  with  the 
marks  and  shadows  of  the  world  written  but  too  plainly  on 
them  ?  Do  we  not  see  one  who  shows  only  too  clearly  that 
he  has  fallen  into  the  world's  mould,  and  it  has  shaped  him  ? 
Surely  the  sad  picture  is  on  every  side  of  us.  Here  then  is 
the  danger.  He  is  a  Christian  in  the  world,  and  that  is  a 
terrible  thing !  He  is  in  a  place  of  continued  and  immi- 
nent danger.  By  which  will  he  be  moulded?  The  com- 
mand is,  "Be  not  conformed,"  or  moulded,  into  its  likeness; 
not  only  so,  but  "be  ye  transformed; "  that  is  to  say,  be  the 
very  opposite.  If  the  world  goes  one  way,  do  you  go  the 
opposite.  There  is  to  be  no  compromise,  no  extenuation,  no 
meeting  it  half  way,  no  saying,  like  Lot,  of  old,  "  Is  it  not 
a  little  one?"  No;  "be  ye  transformed"  Say  to  it,  as 
Abram  said  to  Lot,  "If  thou  go  to  the  right  hand,  I  will 
go  to  the  left;  and  if  thou  go  to  the  left,  I  will  go  to  the 
right." 

Then  how  is  this  moulding  of  the  Christian  into  the  very- 
opposite  shape  of  the  world  to  be  carried  out  ?  The  apostle 
tails  us;  "by  the  renewing  of  your  mind."  Here,  again, 
he  would  seem  to  take  us  back  to  the  temple.  No  doubt  it 
was  before  his  mind.  We  know  that  in  that  service  it  was 
the  duty  of  the  priest,  morning  and  evening,  to  renew  the 
lights  of  the  tabernacle  by  pouring  the  oil  into  the  vessels. 
As  the  light  became  dimmer  and  dimmer,  its  brilliancy  was 


LIVING    SACRIFICES.  25 

"renewed"  by  replenishing  the  vessel  with  oil.  The  be- 
liever is  that  vessel,  the  light  shining  in  the  dark  p] 
But  that  light  must  bo  daily  renewed  or  it  will  burn  dimly. 
The  Holy  Spirit  must  be  poured  day  by  day  into  that  v< 
in  largo  measure.  He  must  take  of  Christ  and  daily  show 
Him  to  the  soul.  He  must  work  in  that  vessel,  bringing 
his  thoughts  and  affections,  his  desires  and  hopes,  his 
words  and  ways,  into  subjection  to  the  word  of  God.  He 
must  show  him  more  and  more  of  his  own  heart,  more  of 
his  helplessness  and  emptiness,  and  make  him  cling  more 
closely  than  ever  to  Jesus.  Thus  the  vessel  will  be  replen- 
ished. Thus  the  light  will  shine.  Thus  the  man  will  be 
transformed,  cast  into  the  very  opposite  mould  of  the 
world.  Thus  will  he  be  shaped  and  moulded  into  the  like- 
ness of  the  Son  of  God.  Thus,  but,  reader,  lay  it  well  to 
heart,  only  thus. 

But  mark  one  caution.  This  transformity  to  the  world 
must  not  be  according  to  some  standard  of  our  own.  It 
must  not  be  transformity  according  to  some  fancy  of  ours 
as  to  what  this  worldliness  is.  How  sad  are  the  mistakes  on 
this  point!  How  often  have  we  heard  of  rank  renouncing 
its  title;  of  one  in  a  high  position  of  life  renouncing  volun- 
tarily that  position,  and  coming  down  to  the  lowest  level  of 
ety,  instead  of  using  it  for  God!  How  often  have  we 
seen  the»neat  apparel  ronounoed  for  slovenliness  of  dress? 
how  often  the  well  furnished  house  for  bare  boards  and  plain 
faro?  How  often  has  all  this  been  the  case,  with  the 
secret,  undetected  self  flattery  that  we  have  done  something 
for  God;  that  we  have  come  to  that  spiritual  standing  and 
tion  superior  to  other  Christians  around  us!  How 
often  with  the  spirit  of  renunciation  has  another  spirit 
crept  in  and  gradually  gained  ascendancy,  so  as  to  leave  the 


26        COUNSELS    FROM    THE   WORDS    OF   TRUTH. 

soul  in  a  far  worse  state  than  before.  Ah !  let  us  beware  of 
this  kind  of  transformity.  True  transformity  to  the  world 
is  to  stay  in  our  position,  to  maintain  our  rank  and  dignity, 
to  hold  our  office,  our  duty,  or  our  calling,  whatever  it  may 
be,  but  to  bring  Christ  into  all,  to  use  them  all  for  His 
glory.  It  is  "as  using  the  world  and  not  abusing  it."  It 
is  easy  by  one  gigantic  effort  of  the  mind  to  give  all  up. 
It  is  hard  to  hold  them,  and  yet  use  all  for  Christ. 
There  is  no  cross  in  the  other,  there  is  the  daily  cross 
in  this.  The  undetected  hope  of  being  something  in  the 
Church  may  suggest  the  one;  nothing  but  the  love  of 
Christ  can  lead  us  to  carry  out  the  other.  Let  us  see  that 
the  transformation  be  "  according  to  the  renewing  of  our 
minds,"  according  to  the  Word,  according  to  the  Spirit  of 
God,  according  to  wisdom,  judgment,  and  understanding. 
Let  us  see  that  it  will  commend  the  gospel  of  Christ  to  the 
conscience  and  not  disgust.  Let  us  see  that  it  be  indeed 
transformity  to  the  world,  transformity  of  the  right  kind, 
true,  real,  spiritual,  heavenly. 

And  mark  the  effect :  "that  ye  may  prove  what  is  that 
good  and  acceptable  and  perfect  will  of  God."  It  is  by 
thus  being  moulded  by  the  Spirit  of  God  that  you  will 
"prove"  to  your  own  satisfaction,  to  your  joy  and  peace, 
and  comfort  and  increase  of  faith,  what  it  is  that  is  good 
and  acceptable  and  perfect,  according  to  God's  mind.  You 
will  thus  know  what  the  will  of  God  is  in  everything,  and 
it  will  be  to  you  a  good  will,  an  acceptable  and  perfect  will. 
You  will  have  no  doubt  of  it.  You  will  prove  it  by  the 
Spirit's  testimony  to  your  own  heart.  You  will  prove  it 
and  delight  to  do  it;  and  it  will  be  your  joy  and  rejoicing. 

Reader,  do  you  know  God's  mercy  to  you  as  a  lost  sinner? 
Pq  you  know  it  in  having  forgiven   you  all  your  sins? 


LIVING    SACRIFICES.  27 

Have  you  the  Spirit's  witness  in  your  soul  that  Pic  in  your 
Saviour?  Oh,  what  is  Christ  to  you?  Is  He  precious  to 
you,  or  only  a  name  without  power? 

Christian,  beware  of  this  present  evil  world,  with  its 
Beductive  influences  on  every  side  of  you.  Let  it  not 
mould  you  into  its  image.  It  surely  will  if  you  are  not 
living  very  near  to  God.  Beware  of  indecision.  Be  whole- 
hearted for  Christ.  The  bane  of  Christianity  in  this  day  is 
compromise,  concession,  expediency.  These  things  are 
eating  out  its  real  life,  and  will  leave  it  a  name  without 
any  living  power  when  the  Lord  comes.  Beware!  Watch, 
pray,  live  near  to  God!  "Watch  ye  therefore,  and  pray 
always,  that  ye  may  be  accounted  worthy  to  escape  all 
these  things  that  shall  come  to  pass,  and  to  stand  before 
the  Son  of  man." 


Guide  me,  my  Father !    Thickly  falls  the  night 

Around  my  head. 
My  heart  is  weary  for  the  blessed  light. 

The  path  I  tread 
May  be  the  dark,  drear  vista  of  the  tomb, 
For  it  is  hidden  in  the  gathering  gloom. 


Guide  me,  my  Father !  other  arms  are  weak 

To  lean  upon  ; 
The  strong  and  mighty  Comforter  I  seek; 

All  else  is  gone ! 
Oh  for  the  everlasting  arms  to  be, 
In  my  deep  weakness,  closely  wrapped  round  me  I 


Guide  me,  my  Father,  or  my  feet  will  stray 

From  Thee,  my  God, 
"Will  fettering  Leave  the  strait  and  thorn-strewed  way 

Which  Jesus  trod : 
I  would  be  with  Him  where  the  holy  meet; 
O  Friend  Omnipotent,  guide  Thou  my  feet! 


28   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

Guide  me,  my  Father !     Take  my  outstretched  hand, 

And  lead  me  on, 
Until  the  mists  and  pitfalls  of  this  land 

Are  ever  gone ; 
Until  my  spirit  is  at  rest  with  Thee, 
From  these  dark  griefs  and  dangers  ever  free. 


FROM    FAMILY   PRAYERS. 

And  since  it  is  of  Thy  mercy,  0  gracious  Father,  that 
another  day  is  added  to  our  lives,  we  here  dedicate  both 
our  souls  and  bodies  to  Thee  and  to  Thy  service,  in  a  so- 
ber, righteous,  and  godly  life  :  in  which  resolution  do  Thou, 
0  merciful  God,  confirm  and  strengthen  us;  that  as  we 
grow  in  age,  we  may  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ. 


FROM   THE   COMMUNION   SERVICE. 

And  here  we  offer  and  present  unto  Thee,  0  Lord,  our- 
selves, our  souls  and  bodies,  to  be  a  reasonable,  holy,  and 
living  sacrifice  unto  Thee :  humbly  beseeching  Thee,  that 
we  and  all  others  who  shall  be  partakers  of  this  holy  com- 
munion, may  ...  be  filled  with  Thy  grace  and  heavenly 
benediction,  and  made  one  body  with  Him  (Christ),  that 
He  may  dwell  in  them,  and  they  in  Him. 

The  above  extracts  from  the  Form  of  Prayer  to  be  used  in  Families 
and  from  the  Communion  Service  of  our  Church,  are  so  appropriate,  and 
so  fully  embody  and  illustrate  the  doctrinal  exposition  of  the  preceding 
discourse,  that  we  feel  no  apology  is  required  for  inserting  them.— Ed. 


Paul's  address  at  antioch.  29 


PAUL'S  ADDRESS  AT  ANTIOCH 
Acts  xiii,  16 — 41. 


Then  Paul  stood  up,  and  beckoning  with  his  hand,  said,  Men  of  Israel, 
and  ye  that  fear  God,  give  audience.  The  God  of  this  people  of  Israel 
chose  our  fathers,  and  exalted  the  people  when  they  dwelt  as  strangers  in 
the  land  of  Egypt,  and  with  an  high  arm  brought  he  them  out  of  it.  And 
about  the  time  of  forty  years  suffered  he  their  manners  in  the  wilderness. 
And  when  he  had  destroyed  seven  nations  in  the  land  of  C'hanaan,  he 
divided  their  land  to  them  by  lot.  And  alter  that  he  gave  unto  them  judges 
•bout  the  space  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  years,  until  Samuel  the  prophet. 
Ami  afterward  they  desired  a  king:  and  God  gave  unto  them  Saul  the  son 
of  <  is,  a  man  of  the  tribe  of  Benjamin,  by  the  spaee  of  forty  years.  And 
when  he  had  removed  him,  he  raised  up  unto  them  David  to  be  their  king; 
to  whom  also  he  gave  testimony,  and  said,  I  have  found  David  the  son  of 
.  a  man  alter  mine  own  heart,  which  shall  fulfill  all  my  will.  Of 
this  man's  seed  hath  God,  according  to  his  promise,  raised  unto  Israel  a 
Saviour,  Jesus:  when  John  had  first  preached  before  his  coming  the 
baptism  of  repentance  to  all  the  people  of  Israel.  And  as  John  fulfilled 
his  course,  he  said,  Whom  think  ye  that  I  am?  I  am  not  he:  but,  behold, 
there  cometh  one  after  me,  whose  shoes  of  his  feet  I  am  not  worthy  to 
loose.  Men  and  brethren,  children  of  the  stock  of  Abraham,  and  whoso- 
ever among  you  feareth  God,  to  you  is  the  word  of  this  salvation  sent.  For 
they  that  dwell  at  Jerusalem,  and  their  rulers,  because  they  knew  him  not, 
nor  yet  the  voices  of  the  prophets  which  are  read  every  Babbath  Day, 
they  have  fulfilled  them'wx  condemning  him.  And  though  they  found  i.o 
cause  of  death  in  him,  yetdesired  they  Pilate  that  he  should  be  slain.  And 
when  they  had  fulfilled  all  that  w;us  written  of  him,  they  took  him  down 
from  the  tree,  and  laid  him  in  a  sepulcher.  Hut  God  raised  him  from  the 
dead  :  and  he  was  seen  many  days  of  them  which  came  ii]>  with  him  from 
Galilee  to  Jerusalem,  who  are  his  witnesses  unto  the  people.     And  we  do- 


30   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

clare  unto  you  glad  tidings,  how  that  the  promise  which  was  made  unto 
the  lathers,  God  hath  fulfilled  the  same  unto  us  their  children,  in  that  he 
hath  raised  up  Jesus  again ;  as  it  is  also  written  in  the  second  Psalm,  Thou 
art  my  Son,  this  day  have  I  begotten  thee.  And  as  concerning  that  he 
raised  him  up  from  the  dead,  now  no  more  to  return  to  corruption,  he  said 
on  this  wise,  I  will  give  you  the  sure  mercies  of  David.  Wherefore  he 
saith  also  in  another  Psalm,  Thou  shalt  not  suffer  thine  Holy  One  to  see 
corruption.  For  David,  after  he  had  served  his  own  generation  by  the  will 
of  God,  fell  on  sleep,  and  was  laid  unto  his  fathers,  and  saw  corruption : 
but  he,  whom  God  raised  again,  saw  no  corruption. 

Be  it  known  unto  you  therefore,  men  and  brethren,  that  through  this 
man  is  preached  unto  you  the  forgiveness  of  sins :  and  by  him  all  that  be- 
lieve are  justified  from  all  things,  from  which  ye  could  not  be  justified  by 
the  law  of  Moses.  Beware  therefore,  lest  that  come  upon  you  which  is 
spoken  of  in  the  prophets  :  Behold,  ye  despisers,  and  wonder,  and  perish : 
for  I  work  a  work  in  your  days,  a  work  which  ye  shall  in  no  wise  believe, 
though  a  man  declare  it  unto  you. 


True  religion  is  large-hearted.  The  love  of  Christ  has  no 
bounds,  no  limits.  It  shone  forth  from  the  bosom  of  Jesus 
in  all  readiness  to  embrace  the  outskirts  of  fallen  humanity. 
Wherever  a  soul  could  be  found,  there  it  would  go ;  and  the 
deeper  fallen,  the  more  deeply  loved. 

Every  system  of  religion  that  does  not  go  out  of  itself 
falls  short  of  the  true  model.  Every  church,  every  de- 
nomination, yea,  every  soul  that  does  not  go  out  of  itself,  i- 
unlike  Christ.  To  wrap  ourselves  up  in  our  own  system 
to  appropriate  the  promises  and  blessings  of  the  Gospei 
exclusively  to  ourselves,  without  going  out  in  largeness,  of 
heart  to  the  utmost  bounds  of  human  kind  in  earnest  desire 
to  draw  them  into  the  same  privilege,  is  one  of  the  most 
palpable  and  widespread  evidences  of  the  fall  of  man,  and 
one  which  still  clings  to  God's  people. 

We  see  this  principle  in  the  opening  words  of  this  text. 
It  contains  a  principle  of  universal  application.  "Men  of 
Israel,  and  ye  that  fear  God."     It  is  true,  Israel  is  not 


Paul's  address  at  antioch.  31 

forgotten,  must  not  be.  But  while  our  own  may  come 
first,  the  Btream  must  run  on  to  the  utmost  bounds  of  the 
earth,  wherever  a  God-fearing  soul   is  to  be  found,  , 

under  whatever  uniform. 

"The  God  of  this  people  of  Israel  chose  our  fathers,  and 
exalted  the  p«-ople  when  they  dwelt  as  strangers  in  the 
land  of  EgyjpL"     Three   instructive   points  are  brought 

re  us  in  these  words.     God  chooses  His  people.     Ti. 
whom  lie  chooses  lie  " exalts."     And  the  people  "chosen" 
and  "exalted"  are   not   chosen   and   exalted  because   of 
anything  in  themselves  to  recommend  them,  but  simply 
because  "they  dwell  as  strangers  in  the  land  of  Egypt.'' 

all,  doubtless,  know  the  application  of  this  truth. 
It  comes  first  in  Paul's  address,  and  should  be  first  in  every 
address.  It  is  the  foundation  on  which  the  superstructure 
is    reared.     Without    this    there    is    nothing.      We    v 

rangers"  to  God.  We  were  in  "Egypt;"  in  bondage 
to  a  far  worse  taskmaster  than  Pharaoh,  even  "  the  prince  of 
the  power  of  the  air."  We  were  of  those  who  "had  no 
hope  and  were  without  God  in  this  world."  In  this  state 
God    looked   upon    us.     He   "chose"   us   in    Jesus.     He 

tlted  "us  in  Jesus.     Why?     We  cannot  tell.     His  own 

wondrous  love  is  the  only  answer.     The  depths  of  that 

can  never   be   sounded.     Its  heights  can   never   be 

bed.  Its  breadth  can  never  be  grasped.  It  is  un- 
fathomable, unsearchable,  unexplainable.  "He  loved  me" 
and  that  is  the  only  answer  I  can  give  to  any  question. 
But  it  is  the  answer,  and  the  answer  to  every  question. 
Those  He  "chose,"  He  "exalted,"  and  they  were  sin: 
sinners  of  deepest  dye,  lost,  ruined,  undone.  "M 
whom  He  did  predestinate,  them  He  also  called:  and  whom 


32   COUNSELS  FEOM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

He  called,  them  He  also  justified:  and  whom  He  justified, 
them  He  also  glorified." 

"  And  about  the  time  of  forty  years  suffered  He  their 
manners  in  the  wilderness."  The  correct  rendering  of 
this  verse  is  in  the  margin,  and  is  very  different  from 
that  which  at  first  sight  presents  itself :  "  He  bore  or  fed 
them,  as  a  nurse  beareth  or  feedeth  her  child."  What  a 
beautiful  simile!  The  nurse  bearing  with  the  wayward- 
ness of  the  child;  feeding  them  as  she  would  feed  the  infant. 
Vv  hat  tenderness  and  compassion,  what  long-suffering  and 
watchfulness,  what  care,  consideration,  and  love!  This 
was  the  history  of  Israel  in  the  wilderness,  and  is  the 
history  of  God's  people  now.  What  are  we,  and  what  is  He  ? 
What  have  we  been  to  Him,  and  what  has  He  not  been  to 
us  ?  Say,  dear  Christian  reader.  Can  you  not  tell,  even 
though  every  tongue  on  earth  were  silent?  What  has  He 
been!  "  Wondrous  grace,  and  love  and  compassion,  every 
hour  of  the  day ! "  What  has  He  been !  "  Oh,  angels  can- 
not tell,  thought  cannot  conceive,  what  He  has  been,  nay, 
what  He  is  to  my  soul!"  See  how  the  tender,  watchful, 
loving  nurse  leads  her  child,  removing  every  obstruction 
from  its  path,  facing  every  danger  first  herself,  and  lov- 
ingly, yet  wisely,  giving  to  the  child  every  choice  portion 
that  will  make  it  happy.  So  God  dealt  with  His  people  of 
old;  so  He  deals  with  them  now.  Mark  it  here: — "And 
when  He  had  destroyed  seven  nations  in  the  land  of  Canaan, 
He  divided  their  land  to  them  by  lot.  And  after  that,  He 
gave  unto  them  judges,  about  the  space  of  four  hundred 
and  fifty  years,  until  Samuel  the  prophet." 

"And  afterward  they  desired  a  king:  and  God  gave  unto 
them  Saul,  the  son  of  Cis,  a  man  of  the  tribe  of  Benjamin, 
by  the  space  of  forty  years.     And  when  He  had  removed 


taul's    ADDRESS    AT    ANTIOTir.  33 

him,  He  raised  up  unto  them  David  to  be  their  king;  to 
whom  also  He  gave  testimony,  and  said,  I  have  found  Da- 
vid, tne  son  of  Jesse,  a  man  after  mine  own  heart,  which 
!l  fulfill  all  my  will.  Of  this  man's  Beed  hath  God,  ac- 
cording to  J  lis  promise,  raised  unto  Israel  a  Saviour, 
ia  :  when  John  had  first  preached  before  His  coming 
the  baptism  of  repentance  to  all  the  people  of  Israel." 

Here  we  see  the  erring  child  crying  out  for  its  toy;  Is- 
rael demanding  a  king.  God  answers  their  desire,  though 
it  was  the  rejection  of  Him.  God  chastises  His  people 
often  by  granting  their  foolish  prayers,  their  sinful  worldly 
desires.  The  answer  proved  a  scourge  to  Israel,  and  for 
forty  years  delayed  the  blessing  God  had  purposed  to  send 
them  in  raising  up  David.  True,  their  sin  could  not  hin- 
der the  blessing,  but  it  could  and  did  delay  it.  "Accord- 
ing to  promise"  that  blessing  came,  but  not  till  after  forty 
years'  reaping  the  fruit  of  their  sin.  So  it  is  now  with 
God's  people.  God  has  in  store  for  them  every  needful 
blessing.  His  blessings  are  "after  His  own  heart."  But 
they  must  look  to  Him  for  them.  They  must  wait  His 
time.  This  they  will  not  do.  They  try  to  anticipate  God. 
They  run  before  Him.  They  plan,  and  carry  out  their 
plans.  "They  desire"  and  God  answers  their  desires. 
Thus  they  defeat  the  very  end  they  are  aiming  at.  A 
blessing  not  "after  His  heart"  is  no  blessing  at  all.  A 
blessing  that  will  not  "fulfill  all  His  will"  must  be  eventu- 
ally a  curse.  Thus  we  bring  sorrow  upon  ourselvos. 
Thus  we  delay,  perhaps  for  "forty  years,"  the  blessing  God 
had  in  store  for  us.  Thus  Israel  made  that  wildem 
which  was  only  a  few  days'  journey,  a  wearisome  march  of 
forty  years.  Lord,  what  is  man?  Weak,  wandering, 
foolish,  sinful;  always  going  against  his  very  best  interests; 
3 


34   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

always  bringing  trouble  upon  himself,  and  dishonor  upon 
God. 

And  observe  the  Divine  order  here.  Eepentance  first 
preached,  and  thus  the  way  made  ready  for  Jesus.  So  it 
is  now;  repentance  first.  But  what  is  repentance? 
Sorrow  for  sin?  No,  no!  This  is  the  error  of  Eome, 
and  of  every  anti-christian  system.  It  is  change  of  mind. 
Man  must  first  change  his  thoughts  about  God,  about 
himself,  and  about  the  way  in  which  he  is  to  be  saved. 
Man's  thought  is,  "  I  must  do  something  to  commend 
myself  to  God ;  "  or  "  I  must  try  and  do  better  before  I  can 
expect  to  win  His  favor."  He  must  change  all  these 
thoughts.  God  requires  nothing  from  him.  He  gives 
him  salvation  freely,  fully,  now,  and  simply  as  a  sinner. 
When  man's  thoughts  are  thus  changed  by  the  Holy 
Spirit,  then  follows — but  not  till  then — sorrow  for  sin. 
Then  Jesus  comes  and  enters  the  heart  thus  prepared  by 
the  Spirit.  He,  like  the  Baptist  of  old,  "  goes  before " 
the  Lord,  "to  prepare  His  way."  There  is  no  real  con- 
version to  God  without  this.  There  never  was;  there 
never  will  be.  Yet  we  are  not  to  preach  the  Spirit.  "  He 
shall  not  speak  of  Himself."  We  are  to  preach  Jesus. 
"  He  shall  take  of  mine,  and  shall  show  it  unto  you." 
Jesus  is  to  be  our  word,  Jesus  only.  Come  to  Jesus. 
Come  this  very  moment.  Come  just  as  you  are.  Wait 
for  nothing,  but  come.  Come!  God  bids  you,  Jesus 
welcomes  you,  the  Spirit  beseeches  you.  Why  stand 
waiting  ?  Your  waiting  implies  that  you  are  waiting  for 
something.  Thus  you  do  not  believe  that  that  something 
has  been  done.  You  show  by  your  hesitation  and  doubt 
that  you  do  not  yet  believe  that  "your  salvation  is 
finished,"  that  Jesus  has  done  the  work.     You  doubt  Him, 


Paul's  address  at  antioch.  35 

deny  Him,  set  the  seal  of  unbelief  to  the  declarations  of 
His  word.  You  do  it  deliberately.  The  guilt  of  denying 
the  Saviour's  word  and  work  is  weighing  upon  you.  You 
"  make  God  a  liar,  because  you  believe  not  the  record  He 
has  given  of  His  Son." 

"  And  as  John  fulfilled  his  course,  he  said,  "Whom  think 
ye  that  I  am  ?  I  am  not  He.  But,  behold,  there  cometh 
One  after  me,  whose  shoes  of  His  feet  I  am  not  worthy 
to  loose."  Mark  this,  reader.  John  had  a  course  to 
fulfill.  So  has  every  Christian  minister,  so  has  every 
Christian  ;  so  have  you  and  I.  We  each  stand  in  relation 
to  God  as  he  did.  How  did  John  fulfill  that  course?  By 
bringing  himself  and  those  to  whom  he  preached  to  the 
test.  What  was  that  test?  It  was  hdw  he  stood  in  rela- 
tion to  Christ.  "  Whom  think  ye,"  he  says,  "  that  /am?" 
Have  I  been  setting  myself  before  you  instead  of  Christ  ? 
Is  Christ  eclipsed,  and  is  it  John  you  see?  No,  "I  am 
not  He."  Let  me  hide  myself.  Let  Jesus  be  all.  Direct 
your  thoughts  to  Him.  I  am  only  a  "voice,"  a  "messen- 
ger." Ah,  this  was  indeed  li fulfilling  his  course."  The 
Christian  or  the  Christian  minister  may  be  in  his  course, 
but  is  he  fully  filling  it?  Is  he  bringing  himself  and  all 
his  words  and  thoughts  and  ways  to  this  test?  Is  he 
setting  himself  before  men  instead  of  Christ.  Do  those 
with  whom  he  mingles  think  of  him  with  such  thoughts 
as  should  only  be  directed  to  Christ  ?  How  does  he  stand 
to  others;  how  do  others  think  of  him?  "What  think  ye 
of  Christ?1'  Oh  how  many  a  Christian  minister  is  rob- 
bing  Christ  of  His  glory,  by  taking  to  himself  that 
honor  and  applause  which  belong  only  to  Jesus!  How  is 
he  secretly  courting  it  by  his  preaching]  How  it  gratifies 
him  to  be  well  spoken  of!     How  he  resents  being  eclips.  d 


3G   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

by  another!  And  all  this  time,  while  ostensibly  he  is 
preaching  Jesus,  he  is  really  preaching  himself.  And 
how  many  a  congregation,  too,  is  robbing  Christ  of  His 
glory  by  putting  it  upon  man!  0  Christian  minister, 
test  yourself;  test  yourself  often,  as  John  did.  Say  to 
yourself,  say  it  in  God's  presence,  with  God's  all-searching 
eye  upon  you,  Who  am  I  setting  before  my  people  ?  what 
do  my  people  think  of  me?  what  place  has  Christ  in  it 
all?  While  ostensibly  all  is  Jesus,  am  I  not  so  shaping 
myself,  my  sermons,  my  ministry,  as  to  catch  the  soft 
breath  of  human  applause?  Am  /indeed  only  a  "voice," 
heard  but  not  seen!  Oh  self,  self,  self!  How  it  predomi- 
nates in  many  a  Christian's  heart !  How  we  are  living 
under  its  power,  even  under  the  humblest  and  holiest  of 
all  garbs,  the  name  of  Jesus !  Christian,  let  your  lan- 
guage, your  conduct,  your  works  and  ways  at  all  times 
say,  "I  am  not  He."  Only  thus  will  you  "fulfill  your 
course." 

And  mark  the  solemn  reason  for  this.  "  Behold,  there 
cometh  One  after  me."  Yes,  Christian,  whoever  you  are, 
Christ  cometh  after  you.  Then  how  are  you  preparing 
His  way  ?  What  will  He  find  in  your  course  ?  Will  He 
find  yourself  or  Himself?  Oh  solemnly,  earnestly,  I  ask 
it,  which?  Which,  Christian,  which?  He  cometh  after 
you.  Surely  He  does.  Will  He  find  "wood,  hay, 
stubble?"  or  will  He  find  "gold,  silver,  precious  stones?" 

And  in  view  of  this  solemn  truth  what  should  be  your 
place?  Just  what  John's  was  here.  0  God,  grant  that 
it  may !  "  Whose  shoes  of  His  feet  I  am  not  worthy  to 
loose."  Yes,  dear  Christian  reader,  He  is  indeed  "coming 
after  you"  in  your  "course."  Oh  under  the  solemn 
thought  may  you  be  found  at  His  "feet!"     Nay  more, 


Paul's  address  at  antiocii.  37 

unworthy  to  be  there!  May  the  very  duet  Jesus  treads 
QpOD  be  the  gold  of  your  lifel  May  you  be  bo  hidden, 
H  >us,  that  nunc  but  He  may  ever  be  seen! 

Mark,  now,  another  truth!  "For  they  that  dwell  at 
Jerusalem,  and  their  rulers,  because  they  knew  Him  not,  nor 
yet  the  voices  of  the  prophets  which  are  read  every  Sabbath- 
day,  they  have  fulfilled  them  in  condemning  Him."  How 
man  may  hear  the  gospel  every  Sunday,  and  yet  not  know 
Him!  How  the  truth  may  be  read  day  by  day,  and  yet 
the  voice  of  the  Spirit  of  God  speaking  in  it  may  never  be 
heard !  And  what  does  this  familiarity  with  truth  without 
the  heart  being  brought  under  the  power  of  it,  lead  to? 
To  commit  the  greatest  of  all  crimes,  the  murder  of  the 
Son  of  God.  Familiarity  with  truth  has  the  effect  of 
blinding  the  heart,  and  of  leading  us  into  the  commission 
of  those  very  sins  which  it  condemns.  We  may  be  hearing, 
day  after  day,  the  most  awful  denunciations  on  sin  and 
sinners,  and  yet  we  ourselves  be  unconsciously  the  very 
sinners  described,  and  doing  the  very  sins  condemned.  It 
is  in  this  way  we  have  a  fearful  truth  brought  before  us, 
namely,  that  truth  unreceived  by  the  heart  avenges  itself  by 
blinding  the  hearer,  and  allowing  him  to  fall  into  sin. 
This  passage  is  an  instance  of  it.  Men  who  hear  the  truth 
know  the  truth,  but  those  whose  hearts  are  brought  under 
the  power  of  it  little  know  what  they  are  bringing  upon 
themselves.  Truth  must  harden,  must  blind,  must  make 
a  man  eventually  insensible  to  sin,  unl  88  it  be  received 
into  the  heart  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  We 
do  not  wonder,  after  years  of  listening  to  the  truth,  that 
men  become  insensible  to  the  most  earnest  appeals,  the 
most  startling  warnings.  The  heart  and  conscience  have 
become  hardened.     "Ephraim  is  joined  unto  idols,"  and 


38   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

God  has  uttered  His  solemn  verdict  from  heaven,  "let 
him  alone."  And  what  is  the  remedy  for  this  state  of 
things?  The  first  word  of  this  passage  contains  it,  " be- 
cause they  knew  Him  not,  nor  the  voices  of  the  prophets." 
It  is  to  know  Christ,  as  revealed  in  the  word  of  God.. 
Hearer  of  the  truth,  and  yet  unconverted,  mark  it  well. 
You  are  "dead"  in  the  midst  of  all  your  religion.  You 
are  "without  God,"  in  the  midst  of  all  your  knowledge. 
You  are,  you  must  be,  till  you  know  Jesus.  To  know 
Him,  this  is  life,  life  everlasting.     But  only  this. 

"  And  though  they  found  no  cause  of  death  in  Him,  yet 
desired  they  Pilate  that  He  should  be  slain.  And  when 
they  had  fulfilled  all  that  was  written  of  Him,  they  took 
Him  down  from  the  tree,  and  laid  Him  in  a  sepulcher." 
Two  truths  are  presented  here.  The  first  is,  that  enmity 
of  heart  was  the  cause  of  Christ's  death.  There  was  no 
cause  of  death,  yet  "they  desired"  it.  "Out  of  the 
heart  proceed  murders."  Here  is  the  source  of  all  evil. 
But  let  us  not  forget  the  second  truth,  that  in  all  this 
work  they  were  only  fulfilling  the  Divine  counsel.  Faith 
looks  behind  the  scene,  and  sees  at  every  bend  and  turn 
in  this  diabolical  act  the  work  of  God.  This  makes  us 
calm  when  everything  around  us  is  going  wrong.  But  if 
faith  be  not  in  exercise,  if  we  are  walking  by  sight,  no 
wonder  we  are  cast  down  and  troubled.  Nothing  can  live 
in  the  present  scene  but  faith.  Everything  is  out  of 
course,  and  will  be  more  so.  But  if  each  day  we  live 
within  the  veil;  if  we  look  at  the  "things  unseen  and 
eternal,"  we  shall  not  be  distracted.  Lord,  grant  this  to 
each  one  of  Thy  people,  as  the  darkness  thickens,  and  the 
midnight  mists  envelope  us ! 

"  But  God  raised  Him  from  the  dead,  and  He  was  seen 


Paul's  address  at  antioch.  39 

many  days  of  them  which  came  up  with  Him  from 
ilee  to  Jerusalem,  who  are  His  witnesses  unto  the  peo- 
ple." So  must  it  be  with  each  one  of  us.  Would  we 
Jesus?  We,  too,  must  come  up  with  Him  from  the  sinful 
world  to  the  heavenly  Jerusalem.  We  must  come  up 
from  the  wilderness,  "leaning  on  the  Beloved."  None  see 
Him  hut  those  who  come  up  with  Him.  They  hold  sweet 
fellowship  with  their  risen  Lord.  They  gaze  into  His 
heart  of  love.  They  hear  His  voice  and  see  His  counte- 
nance. To  them  He  is  "  the  chief  of  ten  thousand,  the 
altogether  lovely."  Their  hearts  give  utterance  again  and 
n  to  the  language  of  the  loved  one  in  the  Canticles, 
"Let  Him  kiss  me  with  the  kisses  of  His  mouth."  Th«  y 
have  left  Galilee,  and  the  heavenly  Jerusalem  is  before 
them,  and,  precious  thought!  they  are  "coming  up  with 
Him." 

Not  only  so,  but  they  are  "His  witnesses  unto  the 
people."  Not  the  half-hearted  Christian.  Not  the  com- 
promiser with  the  world.  Not  the  one  who  knows  little 
of  Christianity  beyond  the  name.  No.  These  are  no 
witnesses  for  God.  These  are  disfigured  and  blotted 
"epistles,"  known  indeed  of  men,  but  not  known  and  read 
as  God's  living  epistles.  No,  dear  Christian  reader,  to  be 
"His  witnesses  to  the  people,"  we  must  "come  up  with 
Him"  from  this  wilderness.  Our  back  must  be  on  the 
world,  our  face  toward  the  heavenly  Jerusalem.  Only 
thus  shall  we  witness  for  God.  Only  thus  shall  we  declare 
plainly  that  we  "  look  for  a  city  which  hath  foundations, 
whose  builder  and  maker  is  God."  This  world  has  no 
foundations.  It  is  the  house  built  on  the  sand,  and  the 
storm  is  beginniiiLT  to  rise.  But  that  city  has  "founda- 
tions" yea,  many  foundations.     It  is  stability  itself,  for 


40   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

it  is  the  city  of  the  living  God,  the  "  inheritance  of  the 
saints  in  light."  0  reader,  is  your  eye  on  it?  Is  your 
heart  in  it?  Are  you  "coming  up  with  Jesus?"  What 
witness  are  you  giving  for  God,  hour  alter  hour,  as  you 
live  here?  Are  you  a  marked  man?  Are  you  wholly 
on  the  Lord's  side,  or  are  you  relaxing  your  strictness, 
and  trying  to  meet  the  world  half-way?  A  thousand 
times  better  err  on  the  other  side  than  on  this.  Christ- 
ians are  not  decidedly  on  the  Lord's  side.  Mark  them, 
and  beware  of  their  example!  If  yours  is  not  a  "pecu- 
liar" path,  a  marked  conduct,  you  are  no  "witness  for 
Christ,"  though  you  be  a  Christian. 

And  now  mark  the  great  blessing  flowing  to  us  from 
the  death  and  resurrection  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  It  is 
stated  in  one  word.  "I  will  give  unto  you  the  sure 
mercies  of  David."  What  streams  of  mercy  now  come 
down  from  that  great  source,  and  each  one  is  endorsed 
with  that  precious  covenant  wTord,  "sure!"  "He  hath 
made  with  me  an  everlasting  covenant,  ordered  in  all 
things,  and  sure."  Every  promise  "sure."  Every  need- 
ful temporal  blessing  "sure."  Everything  in  our  daily 
lot  provided  for  and  "sure."  "Not  one  good  thing  of  all 
that  the  Lord  our  God  has  promised  wanting;"  and  all 
"sure,"  because  made  sure  by  the  death  and  resurrection 
of  the  Lord  Jesus.  The  only  "sure"  thing  on  this  side  of 
heaven  is  that  which  is  connected  with  Him. 

But,  unconverted  reader,  if  grace  is  so  full  and  free, 
there  is  a  note  of  warning.  "  Beware  therefore,  lest  that 
come  upon  you  which  is  spoken  in  the  prophets."  In 
proportion  to  the  fullness  and  freeness  of  the  gospel,  will 
be  the  guilt  of  rejecting  it.  Notwithstanding  the  "open 
door"  of  late  years,  and  the  great  blessing  that  has  at- 


Paul's  address  at  antiocii.  41 

tended  the  preaching  of  tho  Gospel,  never  has  there  been 
in  the  history  of  our  world  so  much  knowledge  of  God's 
word  combined  with  so  little  of  the  power  of  godliness 
manifested  in  the  life.  Never  has  "the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus"  been  so  trampled  under  foot  as  it  is  in  these  days. 
Let  men  call  them  "happy  times"  if  they  please,  but  they 
are  "perilous  times."  And  none  of  the  judgments  visited 
upon  the  nations  of  old  can  compare  with  the  judgments 
with  which  this  professing  Christian  nation  will  shortly 
be  visited.  They  will  be  poured  out  without  measure,  and 
tlnir  record  is  in  the  Book  of  Revelation  May  we  take 
warning  in  time.  Reader,  and  especially  unconverted 
reader,  "beware,  lest  that  come  upon  you."  You  may 
smile  incredulously  at  these  warnings,  but  it  is  the  smile 
of  a  man  on  the  verge  of  a  precipice.  You  are  taking  a 
step  which  can  never  be  retraced.  "Beware"  then,  and 
make  sure  of  a  refuge  from  the  storm,  by  hiding  in  the 
clefts  of  the  Rock  of  ages. 


O  Jesus !  the  glory,  the  wonder  and  love 

Of  angels  and  justified  spirits  above, 

And  saints,  who  behold  Thee  not,  yet  dearly  love, 

Rejoicing  in  hope  of  Thy  glory; 
Thou  only,  and  wholly,  art  lovely  and  fair, 
"Who  robb'st  not  Jehovah,  with  Him  to  compare, 
Jehovah's  own  image  glows  in  Thee;  shines  there 
In  visible  bodily  glory. 

Worth  divine  dwells  in  Thee, 

Excellent  dignity, 

Beauty  and  majesty, 

Glory  environs  Thee; 
Power,  honor,  dominion,  and  life  rest  on  Thee, 
O  Thou  ehiefest  among  the  ten  thousands! 

"Wherever  we  view  Thee  new  gloriee  arise  ; 

The  man  who's  (Jod's  fellow,  who  rich  s  on  the  skies, 


42   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

Made  flesh,  dwelt  among  us ;  brought  God  to  our  eyes  ; 

In  grace  and  truth  showing  His  glory. 
Thou  spak'st  to  existence  the  heavens  and  their  hosts, 
The  earth  and  its  fullness,  the  seas  and  their  coasts ; 
Time  hangs  on  Thy  word,  and  eternity  boasts 

To  crown  and  adorn  Thee  with  glory. 
Worth,  etc. 

But  how  lovely  dost  Thou  appear  in  our  eyes, 

When  we  view  Thee  incarnate  in  childhood's  disguise, 

Thy  love's  past  all  knowledge,  while  raptures  surprise 

And  ravish  our  hearts  with  Thy  glory. 
Thou  in  Thine  own  body,  on  th'  accursed  tree, 
Did'st  bear  all  our  sins,  while  Thy  God  frowned  on  Thee, 
Expiring  in  blood  in  our  stead ;  and  now  we 

Exult  in  Thy  merit  and  glory. 
Worth,  etc. 

Thy  power  all  divine  from  the  grave  back  again 
Brought  Thee,  King  of  glory,  Thou  Lamb  who  wast  slain  I 
First-born  of  the  dead,  crowned  with  honor  supreme ; 

Thy  throne  is  established  in  glory. 
There  reign  in  Thy  glory,  O  Thou  great  Adored ! 
Till  Thy  foes,  crush'd  under  Thy  feet,  be  no  more; 
Thy  Throne  shall  triumph  over  all  things  restored, 
And  eternity  blaze  with  Thy  glory. 

Worth  divine  dwells  in  Thee, 

Excellent  dignity, 

Beauty  and  majesty, 

Glory  environs  Thee ; 
Power,  honor,  dominion,  and  life  rest  on  Thee, 
O  Thou  chiefest  among  the  ten  thousands ! 


TIIE    TASSAGE    OF    THE    JORDAN.  43 


THE  PASSAGE  OF  THE  JOBDAN. 
Joshua  iii,  3;  4. 

And  they  commanded  the  people,  saying,  When  ye  see  the  ark  of  the 
Covenant  of  the  Loud  your  God,  and  the  priests  the  Levites  bearing  it, 
then  ye  shall  remove  from  your  place,  and  go  after  it:  Yet  there  shall  be 
a  spaee  between  you  and  it,  about  two  thousand  cubits  by  measure:  come 
not  near  onto  it;  that  ye  may  know  the  way  by  which  ye  must  go:  for  ye 
have  not  passed  tit  is  way  heretofore. 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  types  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
in  the  Bible  is  the  ark  of  the  covenant.  It  is  brought 
before  our  notice  in  the  passage  we  have  selected  for  con- 
sideration in  connection  with  Joshua  and  the  camp  of 
Israel.  The  subject  is  beautifully  instructive  and  emi- 
nently practical. 

Joshua  and  the  host  of  Israel  have  a  great  work  before 
them,  the  passage  of  the  Jordan,  and  the  destruction  of 
the  guilty  city  of  Jericho.  Judgment  was  about  to  do  its 
terrible  work  in  the  land.  But  mercy  always  precedes  it. 
"He  delighteth  in  mercy."  "He  willeth  not  the  death 
of  a  sinner."  Judgment  came  upon  Jerusalem  to  the 
uttermost,  but  not  till  mercy  had  gone  beforej  in  a  large 
and  overflowing  stream,  in  the  person  and  work  of  the 
Bon  of  God.     Not  till  His  tears  had  fallen  upon  her  soil, 


44   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

and  last  of  all  His  blood,  was  wrath  poured  out.  It  is  so 
always  with  God.  "I  will  sing  of  mercy  and  judgment," 
says  the  psalmist.  But  mercy  is  first.  So  was  it  with 
Jericho.  Before  Joshua  and  the  host  are  allowed  to  take 
one  step  in  the  direction  of  judgment,  grace  is  seen  at 
work.  Bahab  in  the  doomed  city  hangs  out  the  scarlet 
line,  leans  upon  it  as  her  only  hope  of  safety,  in  depend- 
ence upon  the  promise  made  to  her,  and  is  safe  in  the  hour 
of  judgment.  Thus  we  see  mercy  to  the  guilty-,  the  safety 
of  the  trusting  sinner,  and,  the  source  of  it  all,  the  scarlet 
line;  all  brought  before  us  in  the  very  midst  of  that 
scene  over  which  the  wrath  of  God  was  impending.  How 
sweet  to  see  that  with  our  God  this  is  always  the  first  step, 
the  background  of  the  picture,  bringing  out  in  bold  relief 
the  righteousness  of  all  His  subsequent  dealings. 

The  next  thing  we  mark  before  one  step  is  taken  in  the 
direction  of  judgment,  is  living  faith  in  active  exercise  in 
the  hearts  of  God's  people.  (See  Josh,  ii,  24.)  These 
two  features  then  are  the  Divine  pencilings  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  before  He  draws  the  darker  lines  of  judgment; 
namely,  grace  before  judgment,  and  faith  before  victory. 
These  are,  in  one  form  or  another,  the  background  of 
every  picture  in  the  Bible  where  the  darker  colors  of 
wrath  are  made  to  follow.  Blessed  be  His  name,  who  is 
"rich  in  mercy"  and  "the  God  of  all  grace,"  that  it  is  so! 

The  next  thing  brought  before  us,  in  Divine  and  beauti- 
ful order,  is  the  ark  of  the  covenant.  For  if  the  streams 
of  grace  and  faith  run  on  before,  where  do  they  take  their 
rise  but  in  Him  whom  that  ark  represents,  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ?  It  is  He  that  is  to  be  the  subject  of  all  our 
praises;  "for  of  Him  and  through  Him  and  by  Him  are 
all  things,  who  is  over  all,  God  blessed  forever." 


THE    PASSAGE    OF    THE    JORDAN.  45 

Mark,  first,  how  Christ  ia  exalted.  "When  ye  Bee  tin- 
ark  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord  your  God,  and  the  priests 
and  the  Levites  bearing  it,  then  ye  shall  remove  from  your 
place,  and  go  after  it."  No  matter  what  Israel  might  be 
doinLr,  no  matter  how  important,  the  moment  the  ark 
moved  they  were  "to  leave  their  place,  and  go  after  it." 
There  was  to  be  readiness  of  heart  towards  it.  77  was  to 
have  the  first  claim.  The  ark,  the  ark,  that  was  to  be  the 
signal  to  the  whole  camp  and  to  each  member  of  it.  The 
ark,  that  was  to  awaken  in  each  heart  a  response  and  a 
movement.  And  the  movement  of  that  ark  and  its  fol- 
lowers wis  only  in  one  direction,  towards  the  promised 
land.  How  clearly  one  eye  was  on  that  ark  in  after-days, 
and  how  ready  to  "remove  from  his  place  and  go  after  it," 
that  man  who  exclaimed,  "I  am  determined  to  know 
nothing  among  you  sav e  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified :  " 
"God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  the  world  is  crucified  unto  me, 
and  I  unto  the  world." 

Like  the  cloud  of  glory  in  the  wilderness  in  earlier 
days,  so  was  the  ark  now.  Where  it  stood,  the  camp 
stood;  when  it  moved,  the  camp  went  after  it.  So  also 
Him  whom  they  both  represent:  "And  when  He  putteth 
forth  His  own  sheep,  He  goeth  before  them,  and  the  Bheep 
follow  Him,  for  they  know  His  voice."  So  also  with  the 
redeemed  in  glory:  "And  when  the  living  creatures  went, 
the  wheels  went  by  them:  and  when  the  living  creatures 
w<-rc  lifted  up  from  the  earth,  the  wheels  were  lifted  up. 
Whithersoever  the  spirit  was  to  go,  they  went,  thither  was 
their  spirit  to  go."  "  When  those  stood,  these  stood;  when 
those  went,  these  went,  .  .  .  for  the  spirit  of  the 
living  creatures  was    in  the  wheels.      And    there  was  a 


4o   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

voice  from  the  firmament  that  was  over  their  heads,  when 
they  stood,  and  had  let  down  their  wings.-"  Mark  it  in 
later  days:  "For  the  Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the 
throne  shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  to  living  foun- 
tains of  waters,  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from 
their  eyes."  "These  are  they  which  follow  the  Lamb 
whithersoever  He  goeth." 

"Ye  shall  remove  from  your  place,  and  go  after  it." 
Eeader,  what  is  your  place?  I  do  not  know.  But  this  I 
say,  if  there  be  this  day  anything  your  heart  is  placing 
before  Christ,  anything  you  are  placing  on  a  level  with 
Christ,  God's  word  to  you  is,  "Ye  shall  remove  from  your 
place,  and  go  after  it."  Is  there  anything  at  this  moment 
which  conscience  tells  you  you  are  loving  more  than  Him, 
any  loved  member  of  your  family,  any  future  prospect, 
any  present  plan,  any  way  of  your  own  which  is  of  value 
to  you?  Is  there  anything  that  occupies  more  of  your 
thoughts,  and  consequently  more  of  your  affections,  than 
Christ  does?  Then  I  say,  to  you  is  this  word  sent,  "Ye 
shall  remove  from  your  place,  and  go  after  it."  Is  there 
any  place  of  amusement  to  which  you  are  going,  on  which 
you  cannot  previously  ask  God's  blessing,  and  which  will 
not  be  the  means  of  leading  you  nearer  to  Christ  and  to 
heaven?  Is  there  any  evening  party  at  which  you  cannot 
speak  for  Christ?  Is  there  any  business  transaction  in 
which  you  are  taking  secret  advantage  over  some  unsus- 
pecting tradesman?  Is  there  any  secretly  nourished  sin, 
any  habitual  cross  temper  or  sour  disposition,  anything  in 
you  before  others  that  is  contrary  to  the  mind  of  the  holy 
Jesus  ?  Then  I  say,  to  you  is  the  word  from  God  this  day, 
"Ye  shall  remove  from  your  place,  and  go  after  it." 

Oh  solemn,  searching  word  for  all!     For  Rationalism, 


Tin:    PASSAGE    OF    THE    JORDAN.  47 

with  its  sophistry,  Betting  up  the  human  understanding  in 
the  place  of  Christ.  For  Ritualism,  by  fascinating  c 
monial,  hiding  Christ.  For  Evangelicalism,  with  its  scrip- 
tural form,  but  lack  of  spiritual  life  and  power,  equally 
hiding  Christ.  For  individual  Christianity,  ever  treading 
the  dead  level,  the  beaten  path  of  Christians  around, 
without  the  distinctive  mark  of  the  life  and  love  and 
power  of  the  Spirit  of  God  raising  them  above  it  so  as  to 
distinguish  them  as  Christ  was  distinguished.  To  each 
one  comes  the  word  of  God  now  as  to  Israel  of  old,  "  Ye 
shall  remove  from  your  place,  and  go  after  it." 

'*  Y<'t  tlure  shall  be  a  space  between  you  and  it,  about 
two  thousand  cubits  by  measure :  come  not  near  unto  it, 
that  ye  may  know  the  way  by  which  ye  must  go:  for  ye 
have  not  passed  this  way  heretofore."  The  reason  of  the 
space  between  the  ark  and  the  camp  was  that  every  eye 
might  see  it.  If  it  had  not  been  far  in  advance,  it  could 
not  have  been  seen  by  those  in  the  background.  There- 
fore the  necessity  for  a  space  between  of  two  thousand 
cubits.  This  was  the  great  design  of  God,  that  each  one 
of  the  mighty  moving  throng  should  see  it  for  himself 
One  object  alone  engaged  the  thoughts  and  occupied  the 
attention  as  they  moved  onward,  the  ark.  Not  the 
Twites  who  bore  it,  or  the  equipage,  however  beautiful, 
but  the  ark  itself.  Surely  this  has  a  lesson  for  us! 
Christ  must  be  very  conspicuous.  The  eye  of  every  one 
of  God's  chosen  should  be  on  Him  and  Him  only.  He 
should  be  so  clearly  presented  to  every  soul  that  the 
weakest,  the  feeblest,  the  blindest  in  the  ranks,  though 
they  may  be  able  to  see  nothing  else,  may  see  Him. 

And  why?  "That  ye  may  know  the  way  by  which  ye 
must  go."     If  Israel  had  not  seen  that  ark,  if  the  eye  had 


48   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

rested  on  anything  else,  they  must  have  lost  their  way. 
"  There  is  none  other  name  given  among  men  whereby  we 
must  be  saved  but  the  name  of  Jesus."  It  might  have 
seemed  narrow  or  exclusive  to  make  the  question  of  inherit- 
ing or  losing  the  land  dependent  upon  looking  to  the  ark, 
but  so  it  was.  It  was  God's  appointment,  and  whoever 
looked  not  to  it  forfeited  the  inheritance.  Just  so  is  it 
now.  Men  are  making  many  ways  to  heaven.  Latitudi- 
narianism  is  for  setting  aside  the  cross  of  Christ  as  nar- 
row and  exclusive.  Men  are  beginning  to  think  that,  do 
what  they  may,  or  live  as  they  pleas 3,  it  will  somehow  be 
all  right  at  last.  Ah !  if  the  ark  be  not  before  them,  and 
the  eye  of  faith  resting  upon  it,  the  end  will  be  that  the 
waters  of  judgment  will  overwhelm  them.  Only  one  way; 
that  is,  Jesus. 

And  mark  the  warning.  "Come  not  near  unto  it." 
Any  one  coming  near  to  that  ark  hid  it  by  his  own  person 
from  the  view  of  others.  Thus  it  is  that  self  in  any  form 
obscures  the  glory  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  How  often  instead 
of  Christ  man  is  seen!  How  often  the  shadow  of  some- 
thing is  between  the  eye  of  faith  and  Christ  the  true  ark! 
How  stealthily  the  flesh  gains  ground  and  comes  near  to 
the  ark,  so  that  our  true  joy  and  peace  and  glory  are  hid- 
den !  Oh  retire,  from  view !  Fall  back  into  the  ranks  and 
let  nothing  be  seen  but  the  ark.  Let  self  in  every  form, 
good  and  bad,  go  out  of  sight.  Make  the  way  between 
your  soul  and  Jesus  very  clear.  Let  nothing,  however 
valued,  come  between.  Let  the  eye  rest  undividedly  on 
Jesus.  Then  will  you  see  the  way  before  you.  You 
will  walk  in  the  right  path.  You  will  go  through  the 
dark  waves  of  sorrow  and  trial  without  fear.  You  will 
conquer  the  foe,  however  "great  and  strong."     Faith  will 


THE    PASSAGE    OF    THE    JORDAN.  49 

triumph,  and  you  will  raise  your  trophy  of  victory  as 
a  memorial  of  the  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord  from  the 
wavea  that  threatened  to  overwhelm  you. 

"For  ye  have  not  passed  this  way  heretofore."  Dear 
Christian  reader,  whatever  may  have  been  your  experience 
of  the  past,  the  way  before  you  is  untried.  You  know 
not  what  it  may  be.  Oh  trust  it  not!  It  is  still  the 
wilderness.  It  is  still  a  deceitful  heart  you  carry.  It  is 
still  the  deep  darkness  and  the  dreary  mist  of  the  last 
watch  of  the  night.  Look  now  more  than  ever  to  Jesus, 
Jesus  only.  "Ye  have  not  passed  this  way  heretofore." 
Be  sure  that  the  eye  of  faith  is  steadily  fixed  on  the  ark. 
Be  sure  that  Christ  is  the  undivided  object  of  your  affec- 
tions, in  all  things,  great  and  small.  "Ye  have  not  passed 
this  way  heretofore."  Then  beware  of  anything  coming 
between  your  soul  and  Jesus.  Look  not  to  man,  not  even 
to  good  men.  Cease  from  man  altogether.  Have  no  con- 
fidence in  the  flesh.  All  fail  when  put  to  the  test.  Only 
Christ  is  "faithful  and  true."  The  soul  that  trusts  in 
aught  else  than  Jesus  is  trusting  a  bruised  reed,  and  will 
soon  feel  the  piercings  of  disappointment  and  sorrow.  Oh 
look  only  to  Jesus !  You  have  proved  Him,  and  tried 
Him,  and  found  Him  faithful.  Is  He  not  worthy  of  all 
your  trust? 

Mark  one  truth  more  brought  before  us  in  connection 
with  the  passage  of  the  Jordan.  "And 'it  came  to  pass, 
when  all  the  people  were  clean  passed  over  Jordan,  that 
the  Lord  spake  unto  Joshua,  saying,  Take  you  twelve  men 
out  of  the  people,  out  of  every  tribe  a  man,  and  command 
ye  them,  saying,  Take  you  hence  out  of  the  midst  of  Jor- 
dan, out  of  the  place  where  the  priests'  feet  stood  firm, 
twelve  stones,  and  ye  shall  carry  them  over  with  you,  and 
4 


50   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

leave  them  in  the  lodging  place  where  ye  shall  lodge  this 
night."  What  were  these  stones  for?  One  for  every 
tribe!  representing  the  whole  congregation  of  Israel. 
They  were  to  be  taken  out  of  the  midst  of  the  waters  of 
death;  they  were  to  be  reared  up  on  the  other  side,  as 
trophies  of  victory.  They  told  their  tale,  how  that  Israel 
had  come  up  out  of  the  place  of  death  and  judgment. 
They  were  standing  memorials  of  victory  over  death. 
This,  too,  in  the  country  which  as  yet  was  in  the  enemy's 
hands.  The  rams'  horns  had  not  yet  been  blown.  The 
walls  of  Jericho  still  stood  formidably  before  them.  The 
inheritance  was  not  yet  in  possession.  Still  they  had  the 
witness  of  resurrection-life  among  them,  the  victory  over 
death. 

So  is  it  now  with  the  Church  of  God.  We  are  still  in 
the  enemy's  land.  Its  walls  and  bulwarks  are  still  before 
us.  "The  kingdoms  of  this  world"  have  not  yet  become 
"the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  The  inherit- 
ance is  yet  in  reserve.  But,  blessed  be  God,  the  Ark  has 
been  down  in  the  waters  of  death.  He  has  brought  us  up 
"with  Him,"  into  resurrection-life.  We  have  gotten  the 
victory.  We  have  this  victory,  this  resurrection-life,  even 
in  the  very  land  of  the  enemy.  Soon  the  inheritance  will 
be  in  possession.  Soon  the  shout  will  be  heard  that  shall 
shake  the  walls  of  "this  present  world"  to  the  ground. 
The  guilty  Jericho  was  never  to  rise  again.  This  world 
of  sin  and  guilt,  of  sorrow  and  trial,  of  bondage  and 
misery,  shall  pass  away  forever.  Soon  shall  be  seen  "  the 
King  in  His  beauty."  "His  servants  shall  serve  Him;" 
and  "sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee  away." 

"Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly!"  Christian,  be 
ready.      The    time  is    at    hand,  the   hour   draws   near. 


THE    TASSAGE    OF    THE    JORDAN.  51 

Another  week  may  not  pass  before  you  see  the  Lord. 
Keep  your  garments.  Live  near  to  Jesus.  Especially 
live  much  alone  with  God.  It  is  the  only  safe  place  here. 
There  is  no  time  now  for  anything  else  save  to  win  souls 
to  Christ  and  to  live  near  to  God.  0  reader,  may  it  be 
thy  work  and  thy  place,  "till  the  shadows  flee  away!" 
"  Behold,  I  come  as  a  thief.  Blessed  is  he  that  watcheth, 
and  keepeth  his  garments,  lest  he  walk  naked,  and  they 
see  his  shame." 


Nothing  between,  Lord,  nothing  between; 
Let  me  Thy  glory  see ; 
Draw  my  soul  close  to  Thee, 
Then  speak  in  love  to  me : 

Nothing  between. 

Nothing  between,  Lord,  nothing  between ; 
Let  not  earth's  din  and  noise 
Stifle  Thy  still  small  voice ; 
In  it  let  me  rejoice : 

Nothing  between. 

Nothing  between,  Lord,  nothing  between; 
Nothing  of  earthly  care, 
Nothing  of  tear  or  prayer, 
No  robe  that  self  may  wear : 

Nothing  between. 

Nothing  between,  Lord,  nothing  between; 
Unbelief  disappear, 
Vanish  each  doubt  and  fear, 
Fading  when  Thou  art  near  : 

Nothing  between. 

Nothing  between,  Lord,  nothing  between; 
Shine  with  unclouded  ray, 
Chasing  each  mist  away, 
O'er  my  whole  heart  bear  sway : 

Nothing  between. 


52   COUNSELS  FKOM  THE  WOEDS  OF  TRUTH, 

Nothing  between,  Lord,  nothing  between; 
Thus  may  I  walk  with  Thee, 
Thee  only  may  I  see, 
Thine  only  let  me  be  : 

Nothing  between. 

Nothing  between,  Lord,  nothing  between ; 
Till  Thine  eternal  light, 
Rising  on  earth's  dark  night, 
Bursts  on  my  open  sight : 

Nothing  between. 

Nothing  between,  Lord,  nothing  between; 
Till,  the  last  conflict  o'er, 
I  stand  on  Canaan's  shore, 
With  Thee  i'orevermore : 

Nothing  between. 


THE    SYRIAN    LEPER.  53 


THE  SYRIAN  LEPER. 
2  Kings  v,  1-19. 

Now  Naaman,  captain  of  the  host  of  the  king  of  Syria,  was  a  great  man 
with  his  master,  and  honorable,  because  by  him  the  Lord  had  given  deli- 
verance unto  Syria :  he  was  also  a  mighty  man  in  valor;  but  he  was  a  leper. 
And  the  Syrians  had  gone  out  by  companies,  and  had  brought  away  cap- 
tive out  of  the  land  of  Israel  a  little  maid;  and  she  waited  on  Naaman's 
wife.  And  she  said  unto  her  mistress,  Would  God  my  lord  were  with  the 
prophet  that  it  in  Samaria!  for  he  would  recover  him  of  his  leprosy.  And 
one  went  in,  ami  told  his  lord,  saying,  Thus  and  thus  said  the  maid  that  is 
of  the  land  of  Israel.  And  the  king  of  Syria  said,  Go  to,  go,  and  I  will 
send  a  letter  to  the  king  of  Israel.  And  he  departed,  and  took  with  him 
ten  talents  of  silver,  and  six  thousand  pieces  of  gold,  and  ten  changes  of 
raiment.  And  he  brought  the  letter  to  the  king  of  Israel,  saying,  Now, 
when  this  letter  is  come  unto  thee,  behold,  I  have  therewith  sent  Naaman 
my  servant  to  thee,  that  thou  mayest  recover  him  of  his  leprosy.  And  it 
came  to  pass,  when  the  king  of  Israel  had  read  the  letter,  that  he  rent  his 
clothes,  and  said,  Am  I  God,  to  kill  and  to  make  alive,  that  this  man  doth 
send  unto  me  to  recover  a  man  of  his  leprosy  ?  Wherefore  consider,  I  pray 
you,  and  see  how  he  seeketh  a  quarrel  against  me. 

And  it  was  §0,  when  Elisha  the  man  of  God  had  heard  that  the  king  of 
Israel  had  rent  his  clothes,  that  he  sent  to  the  king,  saying,  Wherefore 
hast  thou  rent  thy  clothes?  let  him  come  now  to  me,  and  he  shall  know 
that  there  is  a  prophet  in  Israel.  So  Naaman  came  with  his  horses  and 
with  his  chariot,  and  stood  at  the  door  of  the  house  of  Elisha.  And  Elisha 
sent  a  messenger  unto  him,  saying,  Go  and  wash  in  the  Jordan  seven  times, 
and  thy  flesh  shall  come  again  to  thee,  and  thou  fthalt  be  clean.  But 
Naaman  was  wroth,  and  went  away,  and  said,  Behold,  I  thought,  He  will 
surely  come  out  to  me,  and  stand,  and  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  his 
God,  and  strike  his  hand  over  the  place,  and  reeover  the  leper.  .Ire"  not 
Abanu  and  l'harpar,  rivers  of  Uamadcud,  better  thaii  all  the  waters  of  la- 


54   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

rael  ?  may  I  not  wash  in  them,  and  be  clean  ?  So  he  turned,  and  went 
away  in  a  rage.  And  his  servants  came  near,  and  spake  unto  him,  and 
said,  My  father,  if  the  prophet  had  bid  thee  do  some  great  thing,  wouldest 
thou  not  have  done  it?  how  much  rather,  then,  when  he  saith  to  thee, 
Wash,  and  be  clean  ?  Then  he  went  down,  and  dipped  himself  seven 
times  in  Jordan,  according  to  the  saying  of  the  man  of  God :  and  his  flesh 
came  again  like  unto  the  flesh  of  a  little  cbild,  and  he  was  clean. 

And  he  returned  to  the  man  of  God,  he  and  all  his  company,  and  came 
and  stood  before  him  :  and  he  said,  Behold,  now  I  know  that  there  is  no 
God  in  all  the  earth,  but  in  Israel;  now  therefore,  I  pray  thee,  take  a 
blessing  of  thy  servant.  But  he  said,  As  the  Lord  liveth,  before  whom  I 
now  stand,  I  Will  receive  none.  And  he  urged  him  to  take  it;  but  he  re- 
fused. And  Naaman  said,  Shall  there  not  then,  I  pray  thee,  be  given  to 
thy  servant  two  mules'  burden  of  earth  ?  for  thy  servant  will  henceforth 
offer  neither  burnt-offering  nor  sacrifice  unto  other  gods,  but  unto  the  Lord. 
In  this  thing  the  Lord  pardon  thy  servant,  that  when  my  master  goeth  into 
the  house  of  Rimmon  to  worship  there,  and  he  leaneth  on  my  hand,  and  I 
bow  myself  in  the  house  of  Rimmon :  when  I  bow  down  myself  in  the 
house  of  Rimmon,  the  Lord  pardon  thy  servant  in  this  thing.  And  he  said 
unto  him,  Go  in  peace.     So  he  departed  from  him  a  little  way. 

The  history  of  Naaman  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  in 
God's  Word.  It  brings  before  our  notice  two  striking 
features  of  human  character  frequently  found  united, 
human  greatness  and  human  misery.  Along  with  these  it 
develops  that  which  is  the  secret  cause  of  all  our  misery, 
pride. 

Let  us  look  at  it;  and,  with  the  light  of  God's  Holy 
Spirit,  learn  solemn  and  holy  lessons. 

If  you  go  down  deep  enough  into  any  heart,  you  will 
discover  some  secret  sorrow,  and  at  the  root  of  that  sorrow 
you  will  often  find  some  secret  sin.  "  Now  Naaman,  captain 
of  the  host  of  the  king  of  Syria,  was  a  great  man  with  his 
master,  and  honorable,  because  by  him  the  Lord  had 
given  deliverance  unto  Syria :  he  was  also  a  mighty  man 
in  valor,  but  he  was  a  leper"  Such  was  Naaman,  a 
great   man,    mighty  in  valor,    honorable,  a  deliverer   of 


THE    S  V  II  I  A  N     L  EPER. 


others  from  bondage,  one  who  had  won  golden  laurels,  "but 
he  was  a  leper." 

How  affecting  are  the  words,  "but  he  was  aleper  !"  Ah, 
in  every  record  of  human  greatness,  in  every  cup  of  honor, 
in  every  sunny  picture  of  human  lit'-',  there  comes,  at  the 
end  a  "but,"  something  to  shad.-  or  sadden;  some  thorn  in 
j.ath  piercing  our  feet  and  making  our  secret  hearts 
bleed,  while  the  garlands  of  human  applause  glitter  on  the 
brow  !  They  are  down  in  the  heart  of  almost  every  man, 
mocking  the  smile  that  would  force  its  way  to  the  counte- 
nance. Many  of  the  smiles  of  human  life  are  but  the  glit- 
tering actors  on  a  stage,  beneath  which  lies  a  smouldering 

volcano. 

So  it  was  with  Xaaman.  Wherever  he  went  he  carried 
with  him  a  wasting  disease,  exposing  him  to  the  rude  gaze 
of  the  passer  by.  In  the  grandeur  which  accompanied  him, 
there  was  a  pressing  sorrow  weighing  down  the  heart  be- 
neath its  load. 

What  a  picture  of  multitudes !  Gay,  brilliant,  happy,  hon- 
orable before  the  world,  the  envy  or  the  pride  of  thousands, 
and  yet  in  themslves  restless,  unsatisfied,  weary.  There  is 
a  secret  worm  gnawing  at  the  heart,  and  making  man  ill 
at  ease  while  surrounded  with  all  the  grandeur  and  luxury 
of  life.  The  moral  leprosy  of  man,  the  hidden  cause  of  all 
his  sorrow  and  misery,  is  rin. 

Now  let  us  notice  how  God  dealt  with  this  man  to  remove 
his  leprosy  and  make  him  happy,  and  see  in  it  an  exact 
picture  of  the  way  in  which  lie  acts  in  removing  man's  sin 
and  giving  him  p<'ace. 

The  first  means  brought  before  us  is  "the  little  maid." 
'•And  bus  .-aid  unto  her  mistress,  Would  God  my  lord  were 
with  the  prophet  that  is  in  Samaria!  for  he  would  re- 


56   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WOEDS  OF  TRUTH. 

him  of  his  leprosy."  Mark  how  she  speaks.  She  knows 
of  the  great  healer  in  Israel.  She  longs  for  the  leper  to  be 
healed.  She  knows  that  he  will  be  healed,  if  he  will  only 
go.  She  speaks  the  language  of  confidence.  Who  is  it 
speaks  thus  ?  A  little  waiting-maid.  Oh  how  God  brings 
our  great  thoughts  down !  How  He  "  chooses  the  base 
things  of  this  world,  yea,  and  things  that  are  not,  to  bring 
to  nought  things  that  are."  "I  thank  Thee,  0  Father, 
Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  that  Thou  hast  hid  these  things 
from  the  wise  and  prudent,  and  hast  revealed  them  to 
babes.'1  Yes,  a  little  waiting-maid  beholds  the  leprous  sin- 
ner, longs  for  his  salvation,  knows  Christ's  willingness  to 
heal,  and  of  the  perfect  cure  for  sin ! 

Mark,  again,  through  what  little  things  God  accomplishes 
His  wondrous  works.  The  whole  of  this  cure  He  builds  on 
the  word  of  a  little  maid!  "Give  me  to  drink;"  what  a 
little  word,  and  yet  see  what  God  built  on  it,  the  conversion 
of  one  guilty  soul,  and  through  her  the  drawing  of  multi- 
tudes to  hear  the  words  of  life  from  the  Saviour's  own  lips  ! 
Lot's  wife  is  turned  into  a  pillar  of  salt  by  a  look;  the  world 
created  by  a  word;  man  ruined  by  an  apple;  a  great 
nation  humbled  to  the  dust  by  a  worm,  an  east  wind,  a 
gourd,  a,  fish;  a  guilty  land  destroyed  by  an  insect;  a 
leper  healed  by  a  touch;  a  wandering  disciple  restored  to 
the  fold  by  the  crowing  of  a  cock;  a  loving  heart,  rent 
with  sorrow,  by  the  sounding  of  her  own  name  restored  to 
fullness  of  joy!  How  wonderful!  and  yet  how  different 
from  us.  To  accomplish  great  ends,  we  use  great  means. 
God  does  exactly  the  reverse.  And  why  ?  Because  our 
ends  are  accomplished  by  the  means  we  use.  God's  are 
not.  ^And  that  is  God's  object  in  this  ?  That  we  should 
mark  not  the  visible  endt  but  the  invisible  will;  not  the 


THE   SYRIAN   LEPER.  57 

process,  but  the  Hand  that  is  working;  not  the  things  seen 
and  temporal,  but  the  mighty  Worker  unseen  and  eternal. 
As  creatures  of  sense  we  are  arrested  by  the  visible  ends, 
God  would  have  us  see,  not  them,  but  Him;  and  therefore 
He  works  by  the  weakest  means,  in  order  that,  by  observing 
the  great  disproportion  between  the  means  and  the  end,  we 
may  recognize  His  hand. 

But  let  U3  mar];  another  striking  feature  in  this  narrative. 
Observe  what  implicit  confidence  both  the  king  and 
Naaman  place  in  the  little  maid's  word.  It  must  surely 
have  been  Divinely  overruled  that  just  at  this  critical 
moment  both  the  one  and  the  other  should  have  listened  to, 
and  acted  upon,  the  words  of  a  mere  child  !  But  when  God 
is  about  to  do  His  work,  He  so  orders  outward  circum- 
stances that  they  shall  bring  about  His  ends.  He  not  only 
changes  external  circumstances  so  as  to  meet  our  spiritual 
state,  but  He  changes  our  spiritual  state  that  it  shall  meet 
those  circumstances.  Adaptation  is  God's  great  law,  both 
in  nature  and  providence.  And  He  so  adapts  external  cir- 
cumstances to  our  spiritual  state,  and  our  spiritual  state  to 
external  circumstances,  that  His  great  end  is  accomplished. 

We  mark  this  further  in  the  case  of  Naaman.  If  this 
message  had  come  shortly  after  he  had  become  a  leper,  he 
might  probably  have  neglected  it ;  but  long  years  of  internal 
misery  and  the  heavy  pressure  of  disease  had  brought  him 
down,  and  made  him  willing  to  listen  to  any  proposal  of 
cure.  How  often  we  have  heard  the  message,  "  Come 
to  Christ ;"  but  we  did  not  go.  God  has  made  our  burdens 
press  more  heavily,  has  so  emptied  us  from  one  vessel  to 
another,  that  we  are  broken.  Then,  how  willing  to  listen! 
Then,  with  the  humbled  spirit  of  a  child,  we  come  and  bow 
at  the  Saviour's  feet.     But  oh,  what  a  process  God  has  had 


58       COUNSELS   FROM   THE   WORDS   OF   TRUTH. 

to  employ  to  bring  us  to  this !  What  long  years  of  disci- 
pline !  What  waves  of  sorrow  rolling  over  our  heads? 
what  withering  of  earthly  gourds!  what  breaking  of 
human  cisterns!  what  tear-dimmed  eyes  and  bleeding 
hearts!  And  what  has  all  this  been  for ?  To  bring  us  to 
listen,  like  a  child,  to  the  message  from  heaven,  and  to 
take,  as  poor  bankrupt  sinners,  the  gift  of  eternal  life. 

Let  us  notice  now,  in  the  case  of  Naaman,  how  the  pride 
of  the  natural  heart  works,  and  learn  from  it  what  is  the 
sinner's  greatest  hindrance  in  obtaining  salvation.  Mark 
how  simple  had  been  the  message.  "  Go  to  the  prophet." 
And  Naaman  prepares  to  obey.  But  observe  how  the  sim- 
plicity of  the  message  is  encumbered.  Naaman  goes  first 
to  the  king  of  Syria,  and  the  king  of  Syria  writes  a  letter 
to  the  king  of  Israel.  Then  he  takes  horses,  chariots,  sil- 
ver, gold,  changes  of  raiment,  and  thus  he  sets  out. 

And  is  not  this  the  exact  picture  of  the  human  heart  ? 
"  Come  to  Christ,"  is  the  simple  message  to  the  sinner. 
"  Just  as  you  are  and  without  one  plea."  The  message  is 
clear,  the  invitation  to  all.  But  see  how  he  sets  about  it ! 
See  what  a  hill  he  makes  for  himself  to  get  up  !  See  what 
a  long,  tedious  way  he  makes  for  himself !  See  what  he 
prepares  to  take  with  him  !  See  how  he  resolves  to  be  bet- 
ter, how  he  intends  to  pray,  how  he  determines  to  break 
off  some  of  his  sins,  what  alms  he  purposes  giving,  what  a 
good  life  he  makes  up  his  mind  to  lead,  with  what  earnest- 
ness he  sets  about  taking  with  him  a  number  of  things  like 
these,  in  order  to  get  into  the  favor  of  God !  Just  like 
Naaman.  The  simple  and  straight  road  to  Christ  is  not 
to  his  mind,  and  he  sets  off  in  his  own. 

And  why  was  this  ?  Naaman  wanted  to  be  healed,  but 
he  wanted  to  be  healed  in  his  own  way.     He  wanted  to  be 


TIIESYRIANLEPER.  59 

cleansed,  but  in  a  way  suited  to  his  own  dignity.  He  could 
not  come  to  the  door  of  the  prophet  without  any  Letter  of 
recommendation  from  the  king,  without  his  chariot  and 
horses,  without  his  silver  and  gold  and  raiment.  Oh  no ! 
That  would  be  beneath  his  dignity.  That  would  be  to  come 
like  a  beggar !  And  that  the  pride  of  the  natural  heart 
could  not  brook. 

Oh  how  like  man  at  all  times  !  To  come  to  Christ,  re- 
nouncing everything ;  to  come  poor,  blind,  leprous,  and  as 
beggars  to  the  gate  of  heaven ;  the  sinner's  pride  cannot 
brook  this.  He  goes  to  self  first,  before  he  goes  to  Christ, 
and  so  self  always  leads  him  wrong,  No;  go  just  as  you 
are,  straight  to  Jesus.  Go  with  nothing ;  go  as  a  beggar ; 
go  feeling  that  you  deserve  only  one  thing  at  God's  hands, 
and  that  is  condemnation.  Those  who  go  emptiest,  come 
away  the  fullest.  Those  who  go  with  a  burden  of  sin,  come 
away  with  joy  and  gladness.  Take  nothing  to  recommend 
you.  You  want  riches,  take  none  with  you.  You  want  a 
righteous  robe,  take  none  of  your  own  patched-up  garments 
with  you.  Come  as  you  are.  The  greater  the  sinner,  the 
greater  your  need  of  the  Saviour.  Your  sin  is  your  claim 
to  His  mercy.  Your  wretchedness  is  your  most  powerful 
plea.  Your  guilt  and  ruin  are  your  strongest  recommenda- 
tion. These  are  pleas  almighty,  and  ever  prevail.  These 
find  a  way  to  the  Saviour's  ear  and  a  Saviour's  heart  when 
nothing  else  can.  These  are  your  passport  to  His  throne 
at  all  times.  These,  and  only  these,  draw  from  the  lips 
of  mercy  to  the  ear  of  misery  the  joyous  word,  the  sweet- 
Bound  on  this  side  of  heaven  in  a  sinner's  ear,  "  I  will ; 
be  thou  clean." 

So  Naaman,  with  his  princely  equipage  and  costly  pre- 
sents, starts  off  with  the  letter  to  the  king  of  Israel.    There 


60   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

he  meets  with  no  success.  The  king  is  in  a  rage  with  the 
message  and  the  messenger.  Oh  how  would  all  this  humi- 
liation have  been  spared  to  Naaman  had  he  gone  straight 
to  Eiisha ! 

"  Weary,  working,  burdened  one, 
Why  toil  you  so  ? 
*  It  is  finished/  all  was  done, 
Long,  long  ago. 

Till  to  Jesus'  work  you  cling, 

By  a  simple  faith, 
Doing  is  a  deadly  thing, 

Doing  ends  in  death. 

Cast  thy  deadly  doing  down, 

Down  at  Jesus'  feet ; 
Stand  in  Him — in  Him  alone, 

Gloriously  complete." 

Still  this  "  weary,  working,  burdened  one  "  must  go  sim- 
ply to  Christ.  God  will  not  abate  one  iota  of  His  message 
to  meet  the  sinner's  case.  Again  the  word  comes  to  Naa- 
man, "  Let  him  come  now  to  me,  and  he  shall  know  that 
there  is  a  prophet  in  Israel."  Yes,  God's  cry  to  the  "  toil- 
ing one  "  is,  Come  to  Christ.  It  is  a  simple,  royal  road  for 
poor  wandering  sinners. 

Again  Naaman  starts  off,  and  stands  with  his  train  and 
his  presents  at  the  prophet's  door.  Why  did  he  not  do  this 
at  first,  and  "  without  money  and  without  price  "  ?  He 
had  made  a  short  and  simple  journey  a  long  and  tedious 
and  humiliating  one.  And  what  does  he  expect  God's  mes- 
senger to  do?  "  Surely  he  will  come  out  to  me."  Surely 
with  such  a  train,  and  such  presents,  he  will  honor  me ! 
Surely  now  there  is  that  about  me  which  must  command 
the  healing  I  seek  ! 


TnE    SYRIAN    LEPER.  61 

No  ;  tli*-  "  great  man  "  and  u  honorable  "  ifl  lefl  standing 
outside  at  the  door  1     The  prophet  remains  in  hia  chamber, 

and  simply  sends  out  a  message  by  his  servant.  He  do -s 
not  even  condescend  to  look  upon  the  "  great  man,"  or  no- 
tice his  presents.     He  treats  with  inhospitalitj  the  man 

whom  he  had  invited  to  "  come  to  him,"  and  sends  him  from 
his  door  with  a  short,  abrupt  message!  Oh  how  humili- 
ating to  the  "  great  man's  "  pride  !  How  God  casts  all  the 
"  money  and  price  "  of  the  natural  heart  to  the  ground  ! 

And  does  this  conduct  on  the  part  of  Elisha  startle  us? 
Does  this  treatment  show  that  God  does  not  love  the  poor 
leprous  sinner  ?  No,  His  heart  yearns  over  him  with  in- 
conceivable, unutterable  love.  But  God  will  not  stoop  to 
your  way  of  being  saved.  You  must  adopt  His.  The  voice 
is,  ••  Wash,  and  be  clean."  But  if  you  choose  to  take  your 
own  way  of  being  saved  instead  of  His;  if  you  prefer  to 
"  work  and  toil  "  to  make  yourself  worthy,  instead  of  com- 
ing and  taking  His  salvation  as  a  free  gift;  if  you  persist 
in  taking  a  course  He  has  not  set  before  you,  to  listening 
to  His  voice  and  obeying  it,  He  will  not  stoop  to  you.  He 
will  humble  you.  He  will  empty  you  of  your  fine  thoughts 
and  ways.  He  will  rebuke  you,  and  lay  you  very  low  in 
the  dust.  He  will  treat  you  as  Elisha  did  Naaman  at  the 
door  of  his  house,  as  a  beggar.  He  will  not  look  at  you, 
or  vour  fine  load  of  self-righteousness  you  bring  with  you. 
The  healing  is  ready,  the  health  is  ready,  the  pardon  is 
iv,  the  joy  is  ready,  the  peace  is  ready,  the  crown  and 
glory  are  ready,  all  full,  and  free,  and  yours,  j list  as  you 
are.  But  if  you  choose  to  reject,  if  you  turn  away  because 
of  the  terms,  if  you  cannot  come  down  to  His  feet,  if  you 
cannot  stoop  to  be  humbled,  then  you  go  on,  and  you  die 
in  your  sins. 


62   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

Mark  the  confirmation  of  this  in  the  case  of  Naaman. 
"  And  Elisha  sent  a  messenger  unto  him,  saying,  Go  wash 
in  Jordan  seven  times,  and  thy  flesh  shall  come  again  to 
thee,  and  thou  shalt  be  clean.  But  Naaman  was  wroth, 
and  went  away,  and  said,  "  Behold,  I  thought,  He  will 
surely  come  out  to  me,  and  stand,  and  call  on  the  name  of 
the  Lord,  his  God,  and  strike  his  hand  over  the  place,  and 
recover  the  leper.  Are  not  Abana  and  Pharpar,  rivers  in 
Damascus,  better  than  all  the  waters  of  Israel  ?  May  I 
not  wash  in  them,  and  be  clean  ?  So  he  turned  and  went 
away  in  a  rage." 

We  observe  Naaman's  sin  :  he  thought  he  ought  to  have 
been  treated  in  a  way  more  worthy  of  his  dignity.  He 
despised  the  means  to  which  he  was  directed.  He  thought 
much  more  highly  of  other  means.  He  was  wounded  that 
his  own  thoughts  and  ways  of  being  healed  had  been  so 
completely  set  aside. 

So  is  it  with  the  sinner.  He  does  not  like  to  be  treated 
as  if  he  was  so  very  bad.  He  would  rather  be  treated  as 
if  he  were  somebody  before  God.  He  has  a  higher  estimate 
of  his  own  means  of  being  saved  than  he  has  of  God's.  So 
the  pride  of  his  heart  rebels,  and  he  turns  away. 

Well,  God  will  not  relax.  You  must  come  to  God's  way. 
God  will  never  descend  to  yours. 

So  the  servants  draw  near  and  expostulate  with  him. 
He  who  had  arranged  all  outward  events  to  meet  the  spirit- 
ual state  of  the  leper ;  He  who  so  ordered  it  that  the  king 
of  Syria  and  Naaman  should  listen  to  the  words  ofa"  little 
maid,"  had  so  arranged  that  at  this  critical  moment,  on 
which  the  whole  matter  seemed  to  hinge,  Naaman  should 
be  met  by  his  servants,  the  humble  ones  again  being  used 
by  God  to  carry  out  God's  purposes  of  grace. 


THE    SYRIAN    LEPER.  63 

Yes,  God  makes  outward  events  change  to  suit  our  spirit- 
ual state,  and  our  spiritual  state  to  change,  so  as  to  meet 
outward  events.  Thus,  He  carries  out  at  all  times  His 
i  designs  of  sovereign  grace. 

So,  by  God's  gracious  interference,  nothing  else,  the 
leper  was  led  to  God's  way  from  his  own.  He  went  and 
washed,  according  to  the  saying  of  the  man  of  God,  and 
"his  flesh  came  again,  like  unto  the  flesh  of  a  little  child, 
and  he  was  clean."  "The  flesh  of  a  little  child;"  this 
was  the  "  new  nature."  "  Except  a  man  be  born  again, 
he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God."  Now,  all  the  effects 
of  that  new  nature  begin  to  show  themselves.  Now  he 
knows  that  only  the  God  of  Israel  is  the  God.  Now  he 
knows  that  there  is  none  like  Him.  Now  He  would  offer 
a  blessing,  not  to  procure  salvation,  but  as  an  offering  of 
gratitude  and  love.  But  no;  Elisha  will  not  take  this. 
Why  ?  To  let  Naaman  see  that  nothing  of  Naaman's  has 
had  any  hand  in  the  work  of  healing.  It  has  all  been  grace. 
It  has  all  come  to  the  poor  leper  without  money  and  with- 
out price.  Had  Elisha  taken  the  reward,  the  weak  con- 
science of  Naaman  might  have  said,  "  Well,  I  have  given 
him  something  for  it."  The  Spirit  of  God  is  very  jealous 
of  Christ's  glory.  He  will  let  Naaman  know  that  all  is 
grace,  and  that  the  flesh  has  no  place  in  His  sight.  So 
God  is  glorified,  and  the  leper  is  filled  with  humble,  grate- 
ful praises.  As  a  poor  sinner,  he  has  nothing  to  say  now, 
but  "worthy  the  Lamb." 

Now  mark  another  effect  of  the  new  nature.  It  is  ten- 
derness of  conscience.  See  it  in  Naaman.  "  In  this  thing 
the  Lord  pardon  thy  servant,  that  when  my  master  goeth 
into  the  house  of  Rimmon  to  worship  there,  and  he  leaneth 
on  my  hand,  and  I  bow  myself  in  the  house  of  Rimmon : 


64   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

when  I  bow  myself  in  the  house  of  Rimmon,  the  Lord  par- 
don thy  servant  in  this  thing" 

Tenderness  of  conscience  is  ever  the  fruit  of  the  new  na- 
ture. We  tremble  because  the  Spirit  of  God  is  in  us.  At 
every  step  we  challenge  ourselves ;  and  at  every  step,  too, 
the  tender  conscience  cries  out,  "  Lord,  pardon  Thy  ser- 
vant." Yes,  these  are  the  "  fruits  of  the  Spirit."  Con- 
science is  tender ;  for  God  is  before  the  soul  in  all  His 
glory. 

But  mark  Elisha's  reply.  He  says  not,  "  Go."  He  says 
not,  "  Do  not  go."  He  leaves  the  conscience  of  the  renewed 
one  alone  with  God.  He  leaves  it  to  act  before  God,  under 
the  power  of  that  Spirit  that  had  awakened  it ;  well  know- 
ing that  "  He  who  had  begun  a  good  work  would  perfect 
it."  He  speaks  the  word  of  his  Master,  "  Go  in  peace." 
He  leaves  the  awakened  conscience  of  the  washed  soul  to 
act  under  its  own  responsibility  to  God,  and  whispers  over 
it  the  word  of  heaven,  "Peace." 

Unconverted  reader,  "  wash,  and  be  clean."  God's  voice 
to  you  is  not  "  work,"  not "  do,"  but "  wash,"  "  wash,"  "  wash, 
and  be  clean."  It  is  not  "  keep  on  washing  till  you  become 
cleaner"  No.  It  is  "  wash,  and  be  clean."  It  is  a  wash- 
ing that  once  and  forever  fits  the  soul  for  God's  presence. 
Sinner,  cast  every  thought  and  every  way  of  thine  own  to 
the  winds.  Take  God's  and  leave  thine  own  forever. 
"  Wash,  and  be  clean."  Remember  the  solemn  words  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  to  thy  soul,  "  If  I  wash  thee  not,  thou  hast 
no  part  with  me." 

Not  what  I  am,  O  Lord,  but  what  Thou  art  t 
That,  that  alone  can  be  my  soul's  true  rest ; 

Thy  love,  not  mine,  bids  fear  and  doubt  depart, 
And  stills  the  tempest  of  my  tossing  breast. 


THE    SYRIAN    LEPER.  G5 

Thy  name  La  Love  I  I  hear  it  from  yon  eroas; 
Thy  name  is  Love !  I  read  it  on  yon  tomb; 
And  meaner  lore  ii  perishable  dross, 

Put  this  .shall  light  me  through  time's  thickest  gloom. 

It  blesses  now,  and  shall  forever  bless, 

It  saves  me  now,  and  shall  forever  save; 
It  holds  me  up  in  days  of  helplessness, 

It  bears  me  safely  o'er  each  swelling  wave. 

'Tis  what  I  know  of  Thee,  my  Lord  and  God, 
That  fills  my  soul  with  peace,  my  lips  with  song; 

Thou  art  my  health,  my  joy,  my  staff,  my  rod, 
Leaning  on  Thee  in  weakness,  I  am  strong. 

I  am  all  want  and  hunger :  this  faint  heart 

Pines  for  a  fullness  which  it  finds  not  here; 
Dear  ones  are  leaving,  and,  as  they  depart, 

Make  room  within  for  something  yet  more  dear. 

More  of  Thyself,  oh,  show  me  hour  by  hour, 

More  of  Thy  glory,  O  my  God  and  Lord ; 
More  of  Thyself  in  all  Thy  grace  and  power, 

More  of  Thy  love  and  truth,  Incarnate  "Word! 


CG         COUNSELS    FROM    THE    WORDS    OF    TRUTH 


THE  ASCENDED    SAVIOUK  AND    HIS 
GIFTS  TO  THE  CHURCH. 

Ephesians  iv,  1 — 16. 


I  therefore,  the  prisoner  of  the  Lord,)  beseech  you,  that  ye  walk  worthy 
of  the  vocation  wherewith  ye  are  called,  with  all  lowliness  and  meekness, 
with  long-suffering,  forbearing  one  another  in  love ;  endeavoring  to  keep 
the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.  There  is  one  body,  and  one 
Spirit,  even  as  ye  are  called  in  one  hope  of  your  calling ;  one  Lord,  one 
faith,  one  baptism,  one  God  and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all,  and  through 
all,  and  in  you  all.  But  unto  every  one  of  us  is  given  grace  according  to 
the  measure  of  the  gift  of  Christ.  Wherefore  he  saith,  When  he  ascended 
up  on  high,  he  led  captivity  captive,  and  gave  gifts  unto  men.  (Now  that 
he  ascended,  what  is  it  but  that  he  also  descended  first  into  the  lower  parts 
of  the  earth  ?  He  that  descended  is  the  same  also  that  ascended  up  far 
above  all  heavens,  that  he  might  fill  all  things.)  And  he  gave  6ome, 
apostles ;  and  some,  prophets ;  and  some,  evangelists ;  and  some,  pastors 
and  teachers  ;  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ ;  till  we  all  come  in  the  unity  of  the 
faith,  and  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  unto  a  perfect  man,  unto 
the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fullness  of  Christ ;  that  we  henceforth  be 
no  more  children,  tossed  to  and  fro,  and  carried  about  with  every  wind  of 
doctrine,  by  the  sleight  of  men,  and  cunning  craftiness,  whereby  they  lie 
in  wait  to  deceive;  but,  speaking  the  truth  in  love,  may  grow  up  into  him 
in  all  things,  which  is  the  head,  even  Christ;  from  whom  the  whole  body 
fitly  joined  together  and  compacted  by  that  which  every  joint  supplieth, 
according  to  the  effectual  working  in  the  measure  of  every  part,  maketh 
increase  of  the  body,  unto  the  edifying  of  itself  in  love. 

What  a  comprehensive  and  instructive  portion  of  God's 
word  is  that  now  before  us !     It  is  one  of  the  addresses 


TIIE    ASCENDED    SAVIOUR.  G7 

delivered  by  Paul  when  in  prison ;  and  it  would  seem  as  if 
the  apostle  spoke  from  his  dungeon  chains  with  a  power 
an«l  an  earnestness  which  only  "  fellowship  with  Christ's 
Bufferings"  can  impart  to  the  heart  and  pen.  Let  us  listen 
to  his  words,  and  strive  to  catch  the  echo  of  his  voice,  as 
the  Spirit  of  God  speaks  through  it  in  solemn,  earnest, 
searching  tones. 

We  mark  again  the  word  "  therefore,"  showing  us  a  con- 
nection with  some  previous  utterance.  This  connection  is 
not  with  the  third  chapter,  but  with  the  closing  verses  of 
the  second  chapter.  The  third  chapter  is  (excepting  the 
first  verse)  in  a  parenthesis.  At  the  end  of  the  first  verse 
the  apostle  enters  on  explanatory  matters,  and  in  the  first 
vise  of  our  present  chapter  begins  where  he  had  broken 
off.  There  are  many  instances  in  St.  Paul's  letters  of  this 
parenthetic  style,  and  the  reader  would  do  well  to  notice 
them,  lest  they  prevent  his  seeing  clearly  the  apostle's 
line  of  thought. 

"  I  therefore,  the  prisoner  of  the  Lord,  beseech  you  that 
ye  wall;  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  ye  are  called." 
And  why?  Mark  the  connection  of  the  word  "therefore  " 
with  the  closing  verses  of  the  second  chapter,  and  we  shall 
then  see  the  reason.  "  In  wThom  ye  also  are  builded  to- 
gether for  an  habitation  of  God  through  the  Spirit ;"  there- 
fore "  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation." 

But  how  ?  "  With  all  lowliness  and  meekness,  with  long- 
suffering,  forbearing  one  another  in  love."  It  is  as  if  the 
le  would  say,  "You  are  God's  habitation.  He  dwells 
in  you.  Therefore  be  very  lowly,  meek,  long-suffering, 
forbearing."  This  is  the  way  to  "walk  worthy."  Mark 
rresponding  passage,  Phiiippiana  ii,  12,  L3,  and  as- 
signing for  humble  walking  the  same  motive,  an  indwelling 


68   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

and  inworking  God.  Therefore  the  need  of  watchfulness 
and  prayer  lest  the  flesh  should  work,  and  not  God;  lest 
we  should  run  before  Him;  and  so  take  the  matter  out  of 
God's  hands  into  our  own.  Oh,  what  need  of  constant, 
wakeful,  watchful,  prayerful  waiting  upon  God,  for  with  the 
flesh  cleaving  to  every  thought  and  word  and  deed,  every 
motive  and  plan  and  duty,  we  are  never  out  of  the  place  of 
danger!  May  our  prayer,  dear  reader,  always  be  "  Hold 
Thou  me  up,  and  I  shall  be  safe:  "  "Search  me,  0  God,  and 
know  my  heart :  try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts ;  and  see  if 
there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in  the  way 
everlasting." 

The  next  subject  the  apostle  brings  before  us  is  the  unity 
of  the  Church.  The  Church  is  one.  The  Father,  the  Son, 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  Church  are  all  one.  The  Church 
proceeds  out  of  the  Triune  Godhead,  "which,  were  born, 
not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of 
man,  but  of  God."  Just  as  of  old  the  cherubim  and  the 
mercy-seat  were  made  out  of  one  and  the  same  piece  of 
beaten  work,  so  the  Church  is  the  body  of  the  Godhead. 
We  have  the  same  truth  brought  before  us  in  the  living 
creatures  of  the  Prophet  Ezekiel.  "  Also  out  of  the  midst 
of  the  fire  came  the  likeness  of  four  living  creatures.  And 
this  was  their  appearance;  they  had  the  likeness  of  a  man" 
(Ezek.  i,  5).  We  see  the  living  Church  coming  out  of  the 
fire,  the  symbol  of  the  Triune  God.  Not  only  so,  but  we 
see  whose  image  this  God-born  Church  bears;  "they  had 
the  likeness  of  a  man"  even  the  man  Christ  Jesus.  The 
"  living  creatures"  are  here  a  picture  of  the  Church  in  glory, 
made  like  unto  Christ.  So  the  Apostle  John  also  shows 
us,  "we  shall  be  like  Him,  for  we  shall  see  Him  as  He  is." 
Connected  with  \k\&  first "  likeness  of  a  man"  is  the  likeness 


TnE    ASCENDED    SAVIOUR.  f»9 

of  the  " lion,"  the    "ox,"  igle:"but   the  "man"  ia 

first.  It  shows  us  thai  the  animal  creation  will  be 
and  exalted  by  connection  with  this  man  Christ  Jesus.  It 
was  cursed  because  of  th  •  first  man's  sin:  it  Bhall  be  blessed 
because  of  the  second. man's  redemption.  "For  we  know 
that  the  whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  to- 
gether until  now;"  "the  creature  itself  also  Bhall  be  de- 
livered from  the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious 
liberty  of  the  children  of  God." 

Still,  though  the  Church  and  the  Triune  God  are  one, 
we  are  b  ©ought  to  "keep  the  unity."  This  is  th.;  prayer 
of  our  blessed  Lord  for  all  His  people  (John  xvii).  We 
are  one.  We  are  to  aim  to  keep  one.  And  yet  all  in  "  the 
Spirit." 

And  we  notice  how  all  is  traced  up  to  God  the  Father. 
There  is  "union,"  "peace,"  the  "body,"  the  "Spirit,"  the 
"hope,"  "faith,"  "baptism," the  "Lord:"  all  are  made  to 
culminate  in  "God  the  Father,"  who*  is  " above  all"  as  to 
Hie  Godhead,  "through  all"  as  to  His  operations,  "in  you 
all "  as  to  His  indwelling. 

From  this  ascended  God-man,  Christ  Jesus,  every  bless- 
ing  comes  down.  There  is  "  grace  given  to  every  one  of 
as."  The  weakest  and  feeblest,  the  most  peculiar,  the 
most  infirm  and  helpless,  the  one  least  thought  of  by  the 
Church  or  the  world;  not  one  lacks  the  blessing  from  oh 
high. 

We  have  a  beautiful  commentary  on  these  words  in  the 
Old  Testament.  "Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is 
for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unit;/!  It  is  like  the 
rimis  ointment  upon  the  head,  that  ran  down  upon  the 
beard,  even  Aaron's  heard:  that  went  down  to  the  skirts  of 
his  garments"  (Psalm  cxxxiii).     We    notice  the  precious 


70       COUNSELS   FROM   THE   WORDS   OF   TRUTH. 

« 

ointment,  the  emblem  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  on  the  head  of 
Aaron,  going  down  to  the  very  skirts  of  the  garment.  So 
does  the  Holy  Spirit  come  down  from  our  ascended  High 
Priest,  Christ  Jesus,  to  the  least  and  to  the  lowliest  of  the 
body.  With  such  a  Spirit  poured  out  from  on  high  on  each 
of  the  Lord's  little  ones,  there  must  be  unity,  even  "  the 
unity  of  the  Spirit."  Such  union  must  indeed  be  "good 
and  pleasant."  There  is  in  it  the  fragrance  and  per- 
fume of  the  "precious  ointment."  It  is  in  each  member 
"a  sweet  savor  of  Christ,"  binding  heart  to  heart  in  indis- 
soluble bonds,  and  leaving  an  impression  for  God.  Oh  that 
it  were  more  manifest  in  our  Churches  and  in  our  families, 
and  were  poured  out  in  large  measure  on  our  own  souls  indi- 
vidually! The  character  of  the  last  days,  in  one  of  its 
saddest  forms,  will  be,  "  without  natural  affection ;"  and 
again,  "these  be  they  who  separate  themselves,  sensual, 
having  not  the  Spirit."  0  reader,  let  nothing  induce  you 
to  be  on  discordant  or  unhappy  terms  with  any  member  of 
your  family  or  with  any  one  of  God's  people  around  you  ! 
Ask  for  a  larger  measure  of  God's  Spirit  on  your  soul,  that 
you  may  stoop,  that  you  may  sacrifice  your  own  claims, 
even  though  right,  and  be  able  to  banish  the  distant  look,  or 
reserve,  or  frown  on  the  brow  of  one  near  to  you  ?  Let  the 
Spirit  of  God  make  you  united,  and  bind  your  hearts  together 
in  bonds  of  love.  That  distance  so  kept  up  has  long  since, 
perhaps,  hindered  you  from  enjoying  the  smile  and  love  of 
your  Saviour.  It  has  done  so ;  it  ought  to  do  so.  The 
withholding  of  His  sweet  presence  from  your  soul  in  secret 
must  be  the  result  of  your  distance  and  your  unforgiving 
spirit  towards  one  you  are  bound  to  love.  Oh  banish  it, 
and  live  in  unity  and  godly  love  ! 

But  in  what  measure  is  this  grace  given  ?     "  According 


Til  EASCENDED    SAVIOUR.  71 

he  measure  of  the  gift  of  Christ."    One  of  the  i 
striking  marks  of  the  Deity,  in  nature  and  providence,  is 

adaptation.  So  is  it  in  grace.  God  gives  His  spiritual 
blessings  wisely  as  well  as  lovingly.  lie  gives  just  what 
the  child  can  hoar  to  receive,  so  much  as  lie  sees  that  child 
will  he  able  to  use  for  His  glory.  He  adapts  the  treasure 
to  the  vessel,  and  the  vessel  to  the  treasure  to  be  put  into 
it.  He  sees  our  natural  failings,  our  idiosyncrasies,  our 
delicate  bodies,  our  tender  minds,  our  sensitive  disposition. 
Our  whole  framework  is  open  before  Him,  and  He  gives 
that  which  is  adapted  to  each  one.  If  we  have  small  grace, 
the  fault  is  not  His.  No.  "  He  giveth  more  grace."  He 
may  deepen  the  vessel  to  receive  larger  measures  of  grace. 
He  will  if  we  ask  Him.  He  often  does  by  casting  it  into 
the  furnace  of  trial.  There  is  sadly  too  little  of  His  grace 
in  the  vessel.  He  sees  it,  and  is  determined  that  that 
vessel  shall  hold  more.  Sorrow,  trial,  afflictions,  "  deeps 
calling  unto  deep,"  all  His  "  waves  and  billows  going  over 
08,"  these  are  generally  the  means  He  uses.  As  to  our- 
selves, while  we  are  the  subjects  of  this  strange  dealing, 
we  seem  to  be  going  back.  But  no;  we  are  advancing. 
This  is  God's  way.  "We  advance  by  going  backward,  we 
grow  strong  by  becoming  more  weak.  The  vessel  is  deep- 
ening ;  and  just  now  we  shall  see  more  grace  in  it.  It  will 
shine  forth  before  men.  That  hasty  temper  will  yield,  that 
selfish  disposition,  those  hard  thoughts  of  others.  There 
will  be  less  grasping  after  this  world's  vanities,  a  deeper 
humility,  a  kinder  spirit,  a  gentler  tone,  a  readier  disposi- 
tion to  condemn  ourselves.  All  this  will  be.  The  process 
may  be  long.  It  may  take  years  to  produce  it.  But  the 
man  is  now  a  contrast  to  what  he  formerly  was.  Ah,  there 


72   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

is  more  grace  !  The  "  vessel  "  is  deepened.  There  is  more 
of  "  the  treasure  "  in  it  now. 

And  let  us  remember,  if  we  have  little  grace  the  fault  is 
ours,  not  His.  He  giveth  "  grace  according  to  the  measure 
of  the  gift  of  Christ."  And  what  is  Christ's  measure? 
Love,  infinite  love.  We  are  not  straitened  in  Him,  but  in 
ourselves.  When  Abram  interceded  for  Sodom,  God  did 
not  stop  granting,  till  Abram  stopped  asking.  When 
Elisha  poured  the  oil  in  the  Shunamite's  vessels,  the  oil 
ceased  not  till  the  vessels  ceased.  There  was  "  not  a 
vessel."  When  Jesus  opened  His  treasures  on  the  mount, 
and  fed  the  multitude,  His  supply  did  not  stop  till  they 
ceased  in  their  demand.  "  As  much  as  they  would,"  this 
was  God's  measure.  So  it  is  now.  Christ's  measure  is 
infinite.  We  are  straitened,  not  He.  We  draw  so  little  on 
His  ocean  fullness,  and  therefore  we  have  so  little  to  praise 
Him  for.  Therefore  we  see  so  little  of  the  fullness  of 
Christ  to  meet  our  necessities.  He  is  the  same  now  as  on 
the  mount  of  old.  If  we  are  hungry,  He  is  all  fullness.  If 
we  are  in  a  desert  place,  we  have  all  things  in  Jesus.  He 
asks  us  to  sit  down  to  rest  even  in  our  "  desert  places,"  and 
let  Him  feed  us  out  of  His  Almighty  resources.  God  often 
brings  us  into  a  desert  place,  but  it  is  only  that  we  may 
learn  something  of  Jesus  that  we  knew  not  before.  Oh 
these  are  lessons  we  have  not  learned  yet  with  all  our 
learning !  They  are  lessons  learned  only  in  the  desert, 
only  at  the  feet  of  Jesus. 

"  Wherefore  He  saith,  When  He  ascended  up  on  high,  He 
led  captivity  captive,  and  gave  gifts  unto  men.  Now  that  He 
ascended,  what  is  it  but  that  He  also  descended  first  into 
the  lower  parts  of  the  earth  ?"  Mark,  dear  reader,  how 
Christ  is  our  example  here.     He  "  descended  first"  before 


THE  ASCENDED  SAVIOUR.  73 

He  "ascended  up  on  high."  Every  gift  from  on  high  is 
made  to  depend  on  this  :  He  "descended  -first"  So  must 
it  bo  with  us.  If  we  would  ascend,  we  must  first  descend. 
We  must  go  down  in  ourselves,  if  we  would  be  spiritually 
great.  We  must  be  nothing  if  we  would  be  anything  in 
God's  sight,  We  must  be  humble  if  we  would  rise.  It  is 
now  the  order  with  all  the  members,  as  it  was  with  the 
living  Head,  wo  must  "descend  first."  Oh  to  have  this 
spirit  deepened  within  us  !  Oh  to  be  descending  here !  If 
we  would  indeed  ascend,  it  must  be  so.  If  we  would,  like 
our  ascending  God  and  Saviour,  "  give  gifts  to  men,"  be 
of  any  real  spiritual  blessing  to  others,  we  must  "  descend 
first."  It  is  the  law  of  nature.  The  tree  whose  branches 
rise  highest  in  the  air  has  its  roots  deepest  in  the  earth. 
The  lofty  peaks  of  the  Andes  have  at  their  base  the  deepest 
depths.  If  we  had  of  old  stood  on  Ebal,  the  mount  of 
cursing,  we  could  not  have  crossed  over  to  Gerizim,  the 
mount  of  blessing,  'without  going  down  to  the  bottom  of 
the  intervening  gorge.  So  must  it  be  with  us.  To  de- 
scend is  to  rise.  To  be  little  is  to  be  great.  To  be  humble  is 
to  be  a  blessing  to  others. 

"  He  that  descended  is  the  same  also  that  ascended  up 
far  above  all  heavens."  What  a  comforting  word  !  Though 
at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father,  He  is  "  the  same  "  as 
when,  in  lowliness  and  grace  and  love,  He  trod  our  earth. 
No  word  is  sweeter  to  the  child  of  God  than  this :  "  the 
same."  Behold  Him,  all  grace  and  love,  jaded  and  wearied 
at  the  well  of  Sychar  !  See  the  dust  on  His  sandals,  and 
the  sweat  on  His  brow  !  Listen  to  His  loving  words  and 
earnest  tones  to  a  guilty  outcast.  The  thirst  is  forgotten. 
The  drink  of  water  is  lost  sight  of  in  the  earnestness  of 
His  soul  to  win  a  sinner's  heart.     Is  He  still  the  same  in 


74       COUNSELS   FROM   THE   WORDS   OF   TRUTH. 

that  glory,  where  angels  and  archangels  veil  their  faces 
before  Him  ?  Yes.  He  who  thus  descended  is  "  the 
same,"  though  far  above  all  heavens.  Behold  Him  again 
in  the  temple.  Hear  His  words  of  grace  to  one  whose  life 
was  scarred  and  blotted  with  sin.  How  sweet  the  accents 
as  they  fall  on  the  sinner's  ear  !  "  Neither  do  I  condemn 
thee ;  go  and  sin  no  more."  Yes,  though  high  in  glory, 
though  cherubim  and  seraphim  pant  with  delight  to  do 
Him  honor,  precious  thought,  He  is  still  "  the  same." 
Mark  Him  in  the  house  of  the  Pharisee.  See  how  He 
throws  His  shield  over  another  sinner.  Hear  His  word  of 
commending  love :  "  She  hath  done  what  she  could." 
Behold  His  tears  at  the  grave  of  one  whom  He  loved !  See 
how  He  weeps  over  the  guilty  city,  as  with  words  of 
anguish,  He  exclaims,  "  0  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  how  often 
would  I  have  gathered  thee,  as  a  hen  gathereth  her 
chickens  under  her  wings,  and  ye  would  not !"  Hear  His 
dying  prayer,  while  the  taunts  of  the  soldiers,  and  the  yells 
of  the  rude  rabble  were  ringing  in  His  ears :  "  Father, 
forgive  them ;  for  they  know  not  what  they  do."  Yet  is 
He  who  thus  "  descended'"  who  thus  emptied  Himself  of 
His  glory,  and  "  made  Himself  of  no  reputation,"  still 
({ the  same  "  Jesus.  Time  has  not  changed  His  love.  Sins 
and  shortcomings,  failings  and  provocations  have  drawn  no 
chill  over  His  heart.  He  is  still  the  same  true  and  trusted 
Friend  and  Brother  as  of  old.  "  The  same,"  though  in 
highest  glory ;  "  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  forever." 
Yes,  and  when  that  world's  glory  shall  dawn  upon  the  soul, 
when  the  opened  heavens  shall  disclose  to  our  view  the 
King  in  His  beauty,  the  eye  and  the  heart  of  each  waiting 
child  of  God  shall  be  cheered  and  gladdened  by  beholding 
u  that  same  Jesus  so  coming  as  He  went  away."    Each  one 


TIIE    ASCENDED    SAVIOUR.  75 

shall  hear  that  voice  as  of  old,  whispering  to  his  soul,  amid 
the   Btorm   and   desolation   around,    "  Good   and   faithful 
nt,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 

Bnt  mark  the  purpose  for  which  He  ascended.  "He 
that  descended  is  the  same  also  that  ascended  up  far  above 
all  heavens,  that  He  might  fill  all  things."  Dear  Christian 
I  r,  it  is  Dot  heaven  nor  the  heaven  of  heavens  that  can 
fill  thy  soul.  That  poor  thirsty  spirit  of  thine  can  be  filled 
only  by  One  who  is  "far  above  all  heavens."  Oh  yes, 
heaven  is  a  poor  thing  without  Jesus  !  We  need  One  far 
above  the  highest  heavens.  Our  emptiness  can  be  filled  by 
no  angel  or  archangel,  by  no  harp  of  gold  or  crystal  sea,  or 
jasper  walls,  or  pearly  gates.  The  soul  stretches  its  wings 
higher  and  higher  still.  The  panting  spirit  feels  the  poverty 
of  all  these.  It  finds  no  rest  but  in  soaring.  And  not  till 
it  has  found  the  Saviour,  does  it  find  that  which  "  fills  "  its 
aching  void.  When  the  glories  of  the  highest  heavens  have 
passed  in  review  before  it,  still  its  language  is,  "  Whom 
have  I  in  heaven  but  Thee  ?  and  there  is  none  upon  earth 
that  I  desire  in  comparison  of  Thee." 

And  if  Christ  has  indeed  gone  up  on  high  for  the  pur- 
pose of  "  filling  all  things,"  what  does  this  imply  ?  A  great 
and  glorious  truth,  that  everything  in  which  He  is  not,  is 
unfilled.  Yes,  reader,  if  "Christ,  the  hope  of  glory,"  be 
not  in  thy  soul,  with  all  thy  fullness — intellectual  fullness, 
moral  fullness,  religious  fullness — thou  art  an  empty  man. 
If  there  be  in  thy  heart  any  affection  unshared  by  Him,  it 
has  vanity  written  upon  it  with  the  finger  of  God.  If  tl 
be  any  aim,  any  plan,  any  duty,  any  way  of  thine  whal 

that  does  not  culminate  in  His  glory,  it  is  all  empty, 
and  thou  wilt  find  it  so  in  the  end.  The  handwriting  of 
heaven  may  be  seen  on  everything  which  Christ  does  not 


76   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

"fill :"  "  Thou  art  weighed  in  the  balances,  and  found 
wanting."  There  is  only  one  thing  can  give  stability,  sub- 
stance, weight,  or  reality  to  anything  under  heaven,  or  in 
heaven,  and  that  is  Christ.  Eeader,  remember  this,  and 
beseech  Him  to  give  character  and  solidity  and  reality  to 
everything  pertaining  to  thee,  by  filling  it  with  Himself. 

But,  before  we  pass  on,  let  us  notice  another  striking 
truth  contained  in  this  passage.  The  words  rendered 
"  into  the  lower  parts  of  the  earth,"  may  be  more  correctly 
rendered  "into  the  parts  lower  than  the  earth,"  and  are 
placed  in  antithesis  to  "  far  above  all  heavens."  Thus  no 
creature  can  rise  to  the  height  to  which  He  has  risen,  nor 
descend  to  the  depth  to  which  He  has  descended.  He  has 
gone  lower  than  the  earth,  and  higher  than  the  highest 
heavens.  And  why  beneath  the  earth  and  higher  than  all 
heavens  ?  That  He  might  embrace  "  all  things,"  both  in 
the  one  and  the  other.  This  is  God's  purpose  concerning 
His  dear  Son :  "  that  He  might  gather  together  in  one  all 
things  in  Christ,  both  which  are  in  heaven  and  which  are 
on  earth;"  "  that  at  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee  should 
bow,  in  heaven  and  in  earth  and  under  the  earth,  and  that 
every  tongue,"  not  only  of  men  and  angels,  but  of  inani- 
mate nature,  for  everything  has  a  tongue,  "  should  confess 
that  Jesus  Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father." 
This,  then,  is  the  reason  why  "  He  descended  lower  than 
the  earth,  and  ascended  far  above  all  heavens"  that  all 
things  might  be  gathered  within  the  embrace  of  our  Jesus, 
"  that  He  might  fill  all  things."  And  soon  we  shall  see  it. 
The  possession  is  already  "purchased."  The  inheritance 
has  been  redeemed  by  blood.  Soon  shall  the  King  of  kings 
claim  it  as  His  own.  Then  shall  man  reflect  His  image. 
The  likeness  of  a  "  man"  the  man  Christ  Jesus,  shall  be 


THE    ASCENDED    SAVIOUR.  7? 

rything.     The  dumb  creation  shall  be  blet     1 
in  Him.     Th''  blade  of  grass  and  the  opening  flower  shall 

refl  «t  His  beauty.  The  trees  of  the  wood  shall  rejoice 
and  sing.  We  shall  breathe  a  holier  atmosphere,  a  more 
genial  air.  The  desert  shall  blossom  as  the  rose.  On  the 
very  bells  of  the  horses  shall  be  inscribed  "  Holiness  to  the 
Lord."  Yea,  "  every  pot  in  Jerusalem  shall  be  holy  to  the 
Lord  of  hosts."  The  name  of  Jesus  shall  be  written  on  the 
very  forehead  of  every  child  of  God.  Then  shall  "  He  Jill  all 
things."  Nature  shall  know  of  no  vacuum,  for  all  things 
shall  be  filled,  as  now  they  are  empty,  with  the  fullness  of 
Him  "  in  whom  all  fullness  dwells." 

And  mark  God's  design  in  the  gifts  of  the  ascended 
Saviour.  "  And  He  gave  some,  apostles ;  and  some, 
prophets ;  and  some,  evangelists ;  and  some,  pastors  and 
ihera  ;  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ;  till 
we  all  come  in  the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  of  the  knowledge 
of  the  Son  of  God,  unto  a  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure  of 
the  stature  of  the  fullness .  of  Christ."  All  God's  gifts, 
whether  to  His  Church  corporately,  or  to  His  people  in- 
dividually, are  for  this  end,  to  make  them  like  Christ.  AH 
th  )  processes  of  nature,  all  the  actings  of  Providence,  all 
the  discipline  of  nations,  all  that  passes  from  day  to  day, 
and  from  generation  to  generation,  in  our  world,  are  for 
this  end,  that  the  glory  of  Christ  may  be  ultimately 
evolved.  Everything  in  nature,  providence,  and  gr 
since  man  fell,  has  been  going  on  for  this  end. 

And  mark  what  rest,  what  calmness,  what  stability,  the 
\ssion  of  Christ  gives  to  the  soul.     "That  we  hence- 
forth be  no  more   children,  tossed  to  and  fro,  and  carried 
about  by  every  wind  of  doctrine,  by  the  sleight  of  men,  and 


78        COUNSELS    FEOM    THE   WORDS   OF   TRUTH. 

cunning  craftiness."  The  unconverted  are  constantly  com- 
pared in  the  Bible  to  chaff }  and  the  Lord's  people  to  wheat. 
The  chaff  has  the  shape  and  the  likeness  of  the  wheat,  but 
it  has  not  the  internal  substance  (see  Psalm  i.  4).  It  is 
mere  profession  without  substance.  Therefore,  the  chaff 
is  "  carried  away  by  every  wind,"  while  the  wheat  remains. 
The  chaff  is  "  tossed  about "  like  a  withered  leaf,  from  one 
place  to  another,  and  no  human  foresight  can  perceive 
where  it  will  be  next.  All  this  is  because  it  is  hollow.  It 
lacks  substance.  The  "  sleight  of  men  "  is  a  remarkable 
expression.  In  the  original  it  signifies  "  the  diceboard," 
that  great  instrument  of  cheating  and  deception  by  which 
so  many  are  ruined.  Such  is  the  danger  to  which  every 
soul  is  exposed  that  has  not  weight  within  it,  that  has  not 
Christ. 

And  let  us  mark,  in  closing,  one  more  striking  passage. 
"  But  speaking  the  truth  in  love,  may  grow  up  into  Him 
in  all  things,  which  is  the  Head,  even  Christ ;  from  whom 
the  whole  body  fitly  joined  together  and  compacted  by  that 
which  every  joint  supplieth,  according  to  the  effectual 
working  in  the  measure  of  every  part,  maketh  increase  of 
the  body  unto  the  edifying  of  itself  in  love." 

We  would  ask  the  reader's  careful  attention,  Bible  in 
hand,  to  this  passage.  The  figure  in  the  apostle's  mind  is 
that  of  the  human  body,  and  conveys  the  most  accurate 
view  of  the  truth  contained  in  it.  The  mind,  the  under- 
standing, the  will,  are  all  strengthened  and  developed  from 
the  growth  of  the  body.  Thus  believers  grow,  and  their 
growth  is  the  development  in  them  of  the  Head,  even 
Christ.  He  becomes  strong  in  them.  They  " grow  up 
into  Him  in  all  things,  which  is  the  Head."  Observe  how 
the  apostle  from  this  point  extends  the  figure.     All  the 


THE    ASCENDED    SAVIOUR.  79 

members  of  the  human  body  being  "fitly  joined,"  the 
Bhoulder-bone  to  the  shoulder,  the  hand  to  the  hand,  the 
to  the  foot,  become  "  compacted"  or  joined  together 
by  the  circulation  of  the  blood,  w  by  that  which  every  joint 
Bupplieth."  The  members  thus  being  set  by  the  skillful 
Anatomist,  they  adhere  by  the  internal  circulation.  Like 
the  picture  of  the  valley  of  dry  bones.  Man's  spiritual 
members  are  all  disjointed  by  sin.  God  comes  into  the 
scene.  He,  the  skillful  Anatomist,  sets  the  disjointed 
members,  "  bone  to  his  bone."  Thus  they  are  "fitly joined 
together,"  for  everything  done  by  God  is  "fitly  "  done. 
Then  the  Spirit  of  God,  the  life-blood  of  the  spiritual  body, 
circulates,  and  thus  the  members  "fitly  joined,"  become 
"  compacted  "  by  that  inner  circulation.  And  that  com- 
pacting depends  again  upon  the  healthy  action  of  the  heart, 
Bending  forth  its  currents  unimpeded  through  every 
"joint"  of  the  body.  Thus  it  is  that  by  "that  which 
every  joint  supplieth  "  from  the  "  effectual  working  in  the 
measure  of  every  part  "  the  body  is  increased,  and  grows 
up  "  an  holy  temple  in  the  Lord." 

der,  see  that  you  are  not  the  chaff,  having  the  shape, 
the  form,  the  profession  of  the  wheat,  but  without  the  sub- 
stance. Oh  see  that  you  make  no  mistake  here  I  See  that 
you  have  Christ  in  you.  See  that  you  know  Him,  love 
Him,  follow  Him.  See  that  you  can  say,  "  He  loved  me 
and  Lrav.'  Himself  for  me."  See  that  it  is  no  mere  words, 
no  mere  scriptural  phraseology,  no  mere  profession  of  your 
cr<'cd,  but  with  reality,  with  depth,  with  earnestness,  with 
intensity  of  truth,  you  can  say,  "Lord,  Thou  knowest  all 
things,  Thou  knowest  that  I  love  Thee."  "  Whom  have  I 
in  heaven  but  Thee?  and  there  is  none  upon  earth  1  desire 
in  comparison  of  Thee."     All  religion  without   this  is  a 


80   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

sham,  a  cheat,  a  hollow  mockery,  and  odious  in  the  sight 
of  God. 

Do  you  love  Christ?    I  ask  not  if  you  feel 

The  warm  excitement  of  that  party  zeal 

Which  follows  on  while  others  lead  the  way, 

And  makes  His  cause  the  fashion  of  the  day. 

But  do  you  love  Him  when  His  garb  is  mean ; 

Nor  shrink  to  let  your  fellowship  be  seen  ? 

Do  you  love  Jesus,  blind  and  halt  and  maimed? 

In  prison  succor  Him,  nor  feel  ashamed 

To  own  Him,  though  His  injured  name  may  be 

A  mark  for  some  dark  slanderer's  obloquy? 

Do  you  love  Jesus  in  the  orphan's  claim  ? 

And  bid  the  widow  welcome  in  His  name  ? 

Say  not  "  When  saw  we  Him  ?"     Each  member  dear, 

Poor  and  afflicted,  wears  His  image  here ; 

And  if  unvalued  or  unknown  by  thee, 

Where  can  thy  union  with  the  body  be  ? 

And  if  thou  thus  art  to  the  body  dead, 

Where  is  thy  life  in  Christ,  the  living  Head  ? 

And  if  dissevered  from  the  living  Vine, 

How  canst  thou  dream  thot  thou  hast  life  divine? 

Sweet  is  the  union  true  believers  feel, 

Into  one  spirit  they  have  drunk,  the  seal 

Of  God  is  on  their  hearts,  and  thus  they  see 

In  each  the  features  of  one  family ! 

If  one  is  suffering,  all  the  rest  are  sad ; 

If  but  the  least  be  honored,  all  are  glad. 

The  grace  of  Jesus,  which  they  all  partake, 

Flows  out  in  mutual  kindness  for  His  sake. 

Here  He  has  left  them  for  awhile  to  wait 

And  represent  Him  in  their  suffering  state ; 

While  He,  though  glorified  as  yet  alone, 

Bears  the  whole  Church  before  His  Father's  throne. 


ISRAEL    IN    THE    WILDERNESS.  81 


ISRAEL   IN  THE   WILDERNESS 
Psalm  cvii.  1 — 8. 


O  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for  he  is  good  ;  for  his  mercy  endureth  for 
ever.  Let  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  say  so,  whom  he  hath  redeemed  from 
the  hand  of  the  enemy  ;  and  gathered  them  out  of  the  lands,  from  the  east* 
and  from  the  west,  from  the  north,  and  from  the  south.  They  wandered 
in  the  wilderness  in  a  solitary  way;  they  found  no  city  to  dwell  in.  Hungry 
and  thirsty,  their  soul  fainted  in  them.  Then  they  cried  unto  the  Lord  in 
their  trouble,  cud  he  delivered  them  out  of  their  distresses.  And  he  led 
them  forth  by  the  right  way,  that  they  might  go  to  a  city  of  habitation.  Oh 
that  mm  would  praise  the  Lord  fur  hia  goodness,  and  for  his  wonderful 
works  to  the  children  of  men! 


The  dark  background  of  every  picture  of  God's  dealings 
with  man  is  mercy.  It  is  that  on  which  every  line  is  pen- 
cilled.    Therefore  every  line  is  beautiful,  and  every  picture 

ect.     The  soul  gazes  with  wonder  and  delight  on  each 
sketch;   and  returns,  again  and  again,  to  gaze  with   un- 

ried  delight.  It  is  the  landscape  of  the  great  Artist, 
every  touch  of  whose  hand  is  perfection,  light,  and  beaut  v. 
So  is  it  here.  "  0  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord ;  for  He 
is  good ;  for  His  mercy  endureth  forever."  This  mercy  is 
the  first  verse  of  the  chapter.  Everything  that  follov. 
found. m1  on  it.  It  is  the  dark  background.  The  redemp- 
tion, the  discipline,  the  care  and  watchfulness,  the  lore  and 
6 


82   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

grace  recorded  in  the  chapter,  are  characters  drawn  upon 
this.  The  blessings  of  the  gospel  are  built  upon  the  death 
of  Christ,  out  of  which  they  all  flow. 

"  Let  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  say  so."  Yes,  it  is  their 
hearts  that  should  be  filled  with  gratitude,  and  their  lips 
with  praises.  What  has  not  Christ  done  for  us?  What 
is  He  not  to  us,  day  by  day,  and  hour  by  hour?  What 
will  He  not  be  in  the  countless  ages  of  eternity  ?  Surely 
our  lips  should  be  vocal  with  praise !  Only  eternity  can 
tell  how  much  we  owe  to  Him.  Only  when  we  stand  in 
His  presence,  and  see  with  unsinning  heart  and  unveiled 
eyes,  shall  we  know  how  much  He  has  done  for  us. 


Then,  Lord,  shall  we  fully  know, 
Not  till  then,  how  much  we  owe." 


"  And  gathered  them  out  of  the  lands,  from  the  east  and 
from  the  west,  from  the  north  and  from  the  south."  Yes, 
He  has  "  gathered  "  and  still  gathers  His  people.  It  is  the 
Shepherd's  voice  they  hear,  as  He  seeks  them,  and  brings 
each  one  home  to  the  fold.  He  "  gathers  the  lambs  in  His 
arms."  He  gently  places  them  in  His  bosom.  He  leads 
them  safely  across  the  desert.  He  finds  them  where  the 
shepherd  often  finds  his  sheep,  in  strange  hiding-places. 
Some  in  the  thicket,  or  the  deep  morass,  or  the  dark 
jungle ;  their  fleece  torn  and  they  bleeding.  Thither  the 
good  Shepherd  bends  His  steps,  stoops  down,  and  gently 
lifts  on  His  shoulders  the  bleating  wanderer,  and  carries  it 
home  to  the  fold.  Oh,  out  of  what  strange  hiding-places 
have  God's  people  been  gathered,  in  this  cloudy  and  dark 
day  !  And  still  He  is  seeking  and  gathering  them,  and 
not  one  shall  be  missing.     There  shall  be  "  a  multitude 


ISRAEL    IN    THE    WILDERNESS.  83 

which  no  man  can  number,  of  all  nations  and  kindreds  and 
le  and  tongues."     And  the  Land),  who  gathered  each 

one  in  His  grace,  shall  lead  them  in  everlasting  love  "  to 
living  fountains  of  waters ;  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all 
from  their  eyes." 

" They  wandered  in  the'  wilderness  in  a  solitary  way; 
they  found  no  city  to  dwell  in."  After  the  Lord  has  re- 
lied His  people  they  find  themselves  in  the  wilderness. 
From  the  moment  we  came  to  know,  to  love,  to  follow 
Jesus,  we  felt  the  world  to  be  a  "  wilderness,"  and  we  but 
"strangers  and  pilgrims"  here.  Now,  the  pillar  of  cloud 
and  the  pillar  of  fire  are  our  guide,  our  light,  our  all. 
Now,  we  live  on  the  manna  from  heaven,  and  drink  the 
living  waters  from  the  smitten  rock. 

Nor  do  we  find  the  world  a  wilderness  only.  It  is  also 
"  a  solitary  way."  So  long  as  we  lived  in  Egypt,  and  on 
Egypt's  plenty,  we  felt  none  of  this  cross,  this  loneliness, 
this  severance  from  all  earthly  attractions.  But  now  we 
have  to  walk  a  lonely  path.  The  world  will  have  none  of 
us.  It  casts  out  our  name  as  evil.  It  rejects  and  despises 
the  Lord  we  love  and  live  upon.  It  calls  us  narrow- 
minded,  weak,  and  enthusiastic.  Smiles  that  once  greeted 
us  and  gladdened  our  hearts  have  given  way  to  alien  looks 
and  estranged  affection.  Yes  it  is  "  a  solitary  path,"  and 
we  feel  it  is.  And  yet  it  is  full  of  sunshine,  full  of  joy,  full 
of  gladness,  full  of  peace !  We  go  not  back  in  heart  to 
Egypt.  We  would  not  exchange  places  with  theirs  for  t<n 
thi  >usand  worlds  !  We  have  one  Companion  and  Friend  and 
Brother.  He  is  with  us  and  we  are  with  Him,  Oh  the 
path  is  very  bright,  and  never  brighter  than  in  the  deepest 
darkness!  We  arc  alone,  but  indeed  we  are  not  alone. 
Each  one  can  say  in  his  most  lonely  hour: — 


84        COUNSELS    FLOM    TEE   WORDS    OF    TRUTH 

"  Oh !  I  know  the  Hand  that  is  guiding  me, 

Through  the  shadow  to  the  light; 
And  I  know  that  all  betiding  me 

Is  meted  out  aright. 
I  know  that  the  thorny  path  I  tread 

Is  ruled  with  a  golden  line  ; 
And  I  know  that  the  darker  life's  tangled  thread, 

The  brighter  the  rich  design. 


When  faints  and  fails  each  wilderness  hope, 

And  the  lamp  of  faith  burns  dim, 
Oh  !  I  know  where  to  find  the  honey-drop 

On  the  bitter  chalice  brim. 
For  I  see,  though  veiled  from  my  mortal  sight, 

God's  plan  is  all  complete, 
Though  the  darkness,  at  present,  be  not  light, 

And  the  bitter  be  not  sweet. 


I  can  wait  till  the  day-spring  shall  o'erflow 

The  night  of  pain  and  care ; 
For  I  know  there's  a  blessing  for  every  woe, 

A  promise  for  every  prayer. 
Yes ;  I  feel  that  the  Hand  which  is  holding  me 

Will  ever  hold  me  fast ; 
And  the  strength  of  the  Arm  that  is  folding  me 

Will  keep  me  to  the  last." 

Here  "  they  find  no  city  to  dwell  in."  Their  hearts  are 
with  the  Saviour  on  His  throne.  They  "look  for  a  city 
which  hath  foundations,  whose  builder  and  maker  is  God." 
This  world  has  no  foundation.  It  and  all  that  is  in  it  is 
built  on  the  sand.  The  storm  is  at  hand  which  shall  rock 
it  to  its  base.  But  they,  "according  to  His  promise,  look 
for  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth,  wherein  dwelleth  right- 
eousness." Their  city  has  many  foundations.  For  it  they 
are  waiting.  They  long  for  its  appearing,  and  they  cry, 
"  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly."     Their  citizenship  is 


ISRA  i:  L     IX    THE    WILDEi:  85 

ii.     Their  sun  ia  about  to  rise.  Their  glory  is 
it  to  appear.     And  that  morning  Bhall  dawn  in  glory 
and  beauty,  a  "  morning  without  clouds,"  never  to  know  a 
shadow  again. 

Yet  here  they  have  their  troubles,  their  sorrows,  their 
sins.  But  the  Lord  is  with  them.  He  hears  their  cry, 
and  delivers  them.  He  fills  their  mouth  with  prai 
u  Hungry  and  thirsty,  their  soul  fainted  in  them.  Then 
they  cried  unto  the  Lord  in  their  trouble,  and  He  delivered 
them  out  of  their  distresses."  Their  trials  only  bring  out 
;or  praise ;  their  conflicts,  more  of  the  Lord's 
grace  to  meet  them ;  their  sins,  more  of  the  value  of  His 
ious  blood  which  has  put  them  all  away. 

u  And  He  led  them  forth  by  the  right  way."  Yes, 
though  it  often  seemed  to  them  a  wrong  way,  though  they 
were  "  at  their  wits'  end,"  though  Pharaoh  was  often  be- 
hind and  the  deep  sea  before,  yet  was  it  a  "  right  way." 
Though  often  they  had,  while  here,  to  pass  through  floods 
and  (lames,  often  hungry  and  thirsty,  and  having  no  city 
to  dwell  in;  often  with  the  heavens  over  their  heads  as 
38,  and  their  feet  bleeding  with  thorns,  yet  was  it  after 
all  a  "  right  way."  Often  that  way  was  through  the 
chambers  of  death,  the  heart  bleeding  and  desolate,  the 
mind  staggering  under  its  load,  and  the  eye  Bcalded  with 
bitter  tears;  often  all  God's  waves  and  biilows  rolling  one 
after  another  over  their  soul;  often  Btooping  down  and 
looking  into  the  sepulcher  of  buried  hop  s  and  fund  affec- 
tions ;  often  with  the  piercing  cry  bursting  from  the  heart, 
"  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  Thou  forsaken  me?"  yet  it 
was  a  "  right  way."  Yes,  it  may  b  •  a  Btrange  way  to  us. 
God  may  often  have  to  say  to  us  as  He  said  to  Israel  of  old, 
"  Ye  have  not  passed  this  way  heretofore  ;"  yet  be  sure, 


86   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

tried  and  tempest- tossed  child  of  God,  it  is  a  "  right  way." 
He  is  too  loving  to  lead  you  by  any  other;  He  is  too  wise, 
as  well,  to  let  you  lose  your  crown. 

And  what  is  the  object  of  all  this  ?  "  That  they  might 
go  to  a  city  of  habitation  ?"  Yes,  to  a  city  of  habitation. 
It  is  the  sweet  word  "home"  that  sounds  in  our  ears  in 
this  verse.  There  is  no  city  to  dwell  in  here.  There  is  no 
habitation  for  the  heart  in  a  wilderness.  No;  "we  look 
for  a  city."  Our  home  is  with  Jesus.  Till  then  with  joy 
would  we  walk  a  solitary  path.  It  was  His  when  here, 
and  it  shall  be  ours  "  till  He  come."  Meanwhile,  He  is 
"leading  us  forth  by  a  right  way  to  a  city  of  habitation." 
Then  let  us  praise  Him  for  His  goodness.  Let  us  dwell  on 
His  love.  Let  us  lean  on  His  arm.  Let  us  come  up  out 
of  the  wilderness.  "  Only  a  few  more  shadows,  and  He 
will  come."  The  morning  is  near,  very  near.  Oh  to  be 
ready,  waiting,  watching,  working  for  our  precious  Lord ! 
Let  us  cast  off  every  work  of  darkness.  Let  us  put  on  now 
more  than  ever  the  armor  of  light.  Let  us  have  no 
cowardly  shrinking,  no  indecision  for  Christ  marking  us. 
Let  us  "  in  season  and  out  of  season,"  too,  be  faithful  to 
Him.  The  times  we  live  in  are  solemn.  The  form  of 
godliness  is  increasing,  but  the  power  of  it  is  fast  going  out. 
Compromise  of  principle,  indecision  for  Christ,  half-hearted- 
ness  for  His  glory,  concession  to  error,  and  secret  com- 
munion of  soul  with  God  dying  out ;  these  are  some  of  the 
saddest  features  of  the  Christianity  of  our  day,  and  are 
rapidly  on  the  increase.  Christian,  be  warned  !  watch  and 
pray.  "Behold,  I  come  as  a  thief.  Blessed  is  he  that 
watcheth,  and  keepeth  his  garments,  lest  he  walk  naked, 
and  they  see  his  shame." 


ISRAEL    IN    THE    WILDERNESS.  87 

Oh  abide,  abide  In  Jesus, 
Who  for  us  bare  grieft  untold, 

And  Himself,  from  pain  to  ease  us, 

Buffered  pangs  a  thousand-fbld; 

'Bide  with  Him,  who  still  abideth 
When  nil  else  shall  pass  away  ; 

And,  as  Jndge  rapreme,  presideth 
In  that  dread  and  awful  day. 

All  is  dying;  hearts  are  hreaking, 

Which  to  ours  were  once  fast  bound; 
And  the  lips  have  ceased  from  speaking, 

Which  once  uttered  such  sweet  sound. 
Ami  the  arms  are  powerless  lying, 

Which  were  our  support  and  stay  ; 
And  the  eyes  are  dim  and  dying, 

Which  once  watched  us  night  and  day. 

Everything  we  love  and  cherish 

Hastens  onward  to  the  grave ; 
Earthly  joys  and  pleasures  perish, 

And  whate'er  the  world  e'er  gave  ; 
All  is  fading,  all  is  fleeting, 

Earthly  llarnes  must  cease  to  glow; 
Earthly  beings  cease  from  being, 

Earthly  blossoms  cease  to  blow. 

Yet  unchanged,  while  all  decayeth, 

Jesus  stands  upon  the  dust  ; 
"Lean  on  me  alone,"  He  sayeth, 

"  Hope  and  love,  and  firmly  trust." 
Oh  abide,  abide  in  Jesus, 

Who  Himself  for  ever  lives, 

Who  from  death  eternal  frees  us, 
Yea,  who  life  eternal  gives. 


88   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 


THE  GOOD  PBOFESSION. 
1  Timothy  vi,  10 — 16. 

For  the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil ;  which  while  some  coveted 
after,  they  have  erred  from  the  faith,  and  pierced  themselves  through  with 
many  sorrows.  But  thou,  O  man  of  God,  flee  these  things ;  and  follow  after 
righteousness,  godliness,  faith,  love,  patience,  meekness.  Fight  the  good 
fight  of  faith,  lay  hold  on  eternal  life,  whereunto  thou  art  also  called,  and 
hast  professed  a  good  profession  before  many  witnesses.  I  give  thee  charge, 
in  the  sight  of  God,  who  quickeneth  all  things,  and  before  Christ  Jesus, 
who  before  Pontius  Pilate  witnessed  a  good  confession,  that  thou  keep  this 
commandment  without  spot,  unrebukeable,  until  the  appearing  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ ;  which  in  his  times  he  shall  show,  who  is  the  blessed  and  only 
Potentate,  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords ;  who  only  hath  immor- 
tality, dwelling  in  the  light  which  no  man  can  approach  unto ;  whom  no 
man  hath  seen,  nor  can  see;  to  whom  be  honor  and  power  everlasting. 
Amen. 

It  may  be  said,  perhaps,  without  fear  of  contradiction, 
that  most  of  the  ills  humanity  is  heir  to  spring  from  mis- 
placed affection.  Looked  at  in  a  spiritual  point  of  view, 
it  receives  a  strong  confirmation.  God,  who  should  be,  in 
a  healthy  state  of  mind  and  body,  the  first  object  of  man's 
affection,  is  actually  the  last.  Nay,  more,  in  man,  as  we 
behold  him  at  present,  there  is  not  one  throb  of  affection 
for  God  in  his  heart.  There  may  be  for  God's  gifts,  but 
for  God  Himself  there  is  none.     Hence  we  conclude  that 


THE    GOOD    PROFESSION. 

riust  have  come  over  man.     It  is  the  con- 
clusion of  intelligent  reason,  unaided  by  the  light  of  r 
lation. 

It  is  only  in  lovo  to  God  Himself  that  any  soul  can  find 
true  resting-place.  But  man  loves  anything  and  every- 
thing rather  than  God.  His  heart  is  full  of  idols.  And 
when  he  can  find  none  around  him,  he  makes  an  idol  of 
himself.  Hence  the  misplaced  affection  and  its  natural 
results,  the  "piercing  through  with  many  sorrows." 

This  is  the  first  truth  brought  before  us  in  the  passage 
chosen  for  consideration.  "  For  the  love  of  money  is  the 
root  of  all  evil ;  which  while  some  coveted  after,  they  have 
erred  from  the  faith,  and  pierced  themselves  through  with 
many  sorrow*."  Mark  it,  reader;  it  is  simply  misplaced 
tion.  It  is  the  love  of  something:  else  than  God.  And 
it  is  immaterial  what  that  something  else  is.  It  is  not 
Christ,  and  that  is  enough.  It  may  be  money,  or  fame,  or 
pleasure,  or  sin.  It  matters  not  what  it  is.  It  is  some- 
thing else  than  Christ.  Something  that  has  taken  His 
place  in  the  heart,  which  is  His;  and  whatever  it  may  be, 
that  is  idolatry. 

And  mark  the  eff-cts  of  this  misplaced  affection.  They 
are  two,  and  named  in  this  passage:  error  in  faith,  and 
sorrow  of  heart.  The  heart  is  wrong  with  God,  and  every- 
thing else  becomes  wrong.  The  heart  wrong  with  God, 
and  there  inevitably  follows  error  in  faith,  in  doctrine,  and 
in  all  our  view  of  God's  character.  There  can  he  no  true 
spiritual  vision  where  the  heart  is  wrong  with  God.  II  »w 
much  error  there  is  abroad  in  the  Church,  how  much 
spiritual  blindness  !  How  is  such  a  state  of  things  t 
remedied?  By  education,  by  instruction,  by  teaching? 
No.     You  have  no  guarantee  that,  with  all  its  instruction, 


90   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

the  heart  will  not  be  carried  away  again  into  error.  To 
begin  thus  is  to  begin  at  the  wrong  end.  Set  the  heart 
right  with  God.  See  that  it  be  first  true  to  Christ.  Till 
then  all  your  teaching  is  vain,  though  you  may  enable  the 
intellect  to  hold  the  soundest  creed  on  earth.  Set  the  heart 
right  towards  God.  See  that  there  be  no  misplaced  affec- 
tion. This  done,  you  may  then  graft  instruction  on  the 
heart  and  understanding.  The  heart  right  with  God,  then 
will  there  be  purity  of  faith,  and  the  soul  will  be  preserved 
from  those  "  piercings  through  of  sorrow  "  which  are  the 
result  of  misplaced  affection. 

"But  thou,  0  man  of  God,  flee  these  things;  and  follow 
after  righteousness,  godliness,  love,  patience,  meekness. 
Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith,  lay  hold  on  eternal  life." 
Let  us  notice  a  very  important  truth  in  these  words.  Two 
things  are  brought  before  us.  First,  that  our  Christianity 
is  to  be  negative  with  regard  to  evil,  " 'flee  these  things  ;" 
secondly,  that  it  is  to  be  positive  with  regard  to  good, 
"  follow  after,"  "fight,"  "lay  hold."  We  find  these  two 
things  continually  brought  before  us  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment, and  in  the  same  order.  We  invariably  find  them, 
too,  united.  If  we  are  told  to  " put  off  the  old  man,"  we 
are  told  in  the  same  place  to  "put  on  the  new  man." 
Many  Christians,  if  they  are  only  negative  with  regard  to 
evil,  are  satisfied.  If  they  do  "  no  harm,"  they  are  uncon- 
cerned as  to  whether  they  are  actively  doing  "  good." 
Christianity  is  no  negative  principle,  contenting  itself  if  it 
be  clear  of  what  is  wrong.  It  is  positive.  It  is  aggressive. 
It  is  a  "  following  after,"  a  "fighting,"  a  "laying  hold." 
And  yet  how  often  do  we  hear  the  cry,  "  What  harm  is 
there  in  it  ?"  Suppose  there  be  "  no  harm."  Were  you 
placed  in  this  world  merely  to  do  no  harm  ?     Did  your 


TIIE    r.OOD    PROFESSION.  91 

1  and  Mast  t  live  in  this  world  doing  "  no  nar: 
Did    He   not   go   about    "  doing  go<>  What  kind  of 

Christianity  is  yours  it"  it  Leads  you  merely  to  keep  your- 
self from  doing  "no  harm?"    Is  it  positive?  Is  it  agg] 

?     Is  it  telling  ?     Is  it  "pre*  rard  the  mark?" 

Lot  the  reader  look  at  his  Bible,  and  he  will  find  that  the 
Spirit  of  God  never  tells  us  to  "put  off,"  without  at  the 
same  time  telling  us  to  "put  on"  showing  God's  great 

gn  that  the  character  of  His  people's  religion  should  be 
a  positive,  aggressive  thing.  And  even  if  in  every  hour  of 
the  day  we  could  live  without  any  charge  of  inconsistency 
being  brought  against  us,  we  should  not  be  acting  up  to 
the  mind  of  God,  unless  there  were  upon  us  the  clear  marks 
of  heaven  bearing;  witness  for  God.  Absence  from  evil  is 
not  then  the  ground  we  are  to  take,  but  the  "putting  on 
of  Christ." 

"  Lay  hold  on  eternal  life."  Let  us  not  mistake  these 
words.  They  are  not  addressed  to  the  unconverted,  to  lay 
hold  of  salvation.  The  unconverted  are  so  addressed  in  the 
word  of  God,  but  not  in  these  words.  They  are  addressed 
to  one  who  is  air  ved.     The  one  who  has  come  to 

Christ,  who  has  be  n  brought  nigh  by  the  blood  of  Jesus 
through  the  leading  of  God's  Holy  Spirit,  is  exhorted  to 
grasp  firmly  that  Saviour  who  is  holding  him.  It  is  like 
the  passage,  "Work  out  your  own  salvation  with  fear  and 
trembling,  for  it  is  God  which  worketh  in  you"  The  one 
so  addressed  has  urot  salvation.  lie  has  not  to  GET  it.  lie 
has  only  to  work  it  out.  It  is  like  a  workman  ;  he  has 
been  uriv<'ii  fin-  material,  and  has  now  only  to  make  it  into 
a  vessel.  And  yet  he  cannot  even  do  this.  lie  scon 
be  '"  working  out  "  that  salvation  himself.  But  no.  It  is 
God  that  "worketh  in  him,  both  to   well  and  to  do  of  Sis 


92   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

good  pleasure"  So  in  the  passage  under  consideration. 
It  is  to  get  a  firmer  grasp  of  Him  who  is  holding  you. 
Like  the  child  snatched  half  exhausted  from  the  destructive 
waves-  grasping  firmly  the  loving  parent  who  has  rescued 
him,  and  holding  him  securely.  We  have  a  similar  truth 
corresponding  with  this  in  St.  Peter  (2d  Epistle  i,  5,  10, 
11);  "And  beside  this,  giving  all  diligence,  add  to  your 
faith  virtue."  "Wherefore  the  rather,  brethren,  give 
diligence  to  make  your  calling  and  election  sure.  For  so 
an  entrance  shall  be  ministered  unto  you  abundantly  into 
the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ."  The  early  part  of  the  chapter  tells  us  what  has 
been  given  to  us,  and  from  this  to  go  on  adding.  There 
is  the  entrance  to  the  kingdom  through  the  finished  work 
of  the  Lord  Jesus.  No  doins;  of  ours  can  add  to  that.  But 
there  is  the  " abundant  entrance"  which  depends  upon 
ourselves,  upon  our  increase  in  faith,  and  holy  walk  with 
God,  upon  our  "  pressing  towards  the  mark."  So  we  have 
eternal  life,  but  we  are  exhorted  to  "lay  hold"  on  it. 
Reader,  are  you  doing  this  ?  It  is  easy  to  make  the  passage 
plain,  to  talk  about  it,  but  oh,  are  we  living  to  God? 

The  apostle  now  goes  on  to  speak  of  the  "good  profes- 
sion" professed  by  Timothy  "before  many  witnesses." 
There  is  a  great  amount  of  " profession  "  on  every  side, 
but  it  is  not  "good."  It  is  the  name  without  the  reality. 
It  is  the  form  without  the  life  and  power.  It  is  the  sicken- 
ing malaria  of  the  day  in  which  we  live.  Still  the  profes- 
sion is  not  wrong,  it  is  the  absence  of  life  from  it.  It  wants 
only  one  thing  to  make  it  a  "good  profession"  the  power 
of  God's  Holy  Spirit  quickening,  renewing,  energizing  it. 
How  is  our  profession  to  become  the  "  good  profession  ?" 
The  apostle  tells  us:  "I  give  thee  charge  in  the  sight  of 


TIIE    GOOD    PROFESSION.  03 

God,  who  quickerieth  all  things."  Strange  that  he  should 
connect  this  passage  with  the  "profession."  But  we  see 
th<i  Spirit's  reason  for  it.     "God,  who   'quickeneth'  or 

'maketh  alive'  all  things."  This  then  is  the  way  to  make 
our  profession  "good,"  to  bring  it  to  the  living  God.  Let 
i  into  His  presence,  have  continued  and  dose  dealings 
with  Him.  Our  profession  lacks  this.  It  has  no  lit'.',  none. 
It  is  a  poor  dead  thing.  The  life  is  only  in  God.  Let  us 
bring  the  vessel  there  to  be  filled.  Oh  that  our  profession 
were  quickened  ami  made  a  more  tclli/uj  thing  than  it  is, 
by  being  brought  more  into  the  presence  of  a  quickening 
God  !  We  want  it,  oh  how  deeply  !  We  never  wanted  it 
so  much  as  in  this  clay.  More  secret  prayer,  more  getting 
out  of  thi'  crowd  into  solitude  with  God,  more  being  alone 
with  Jesus,  more  living  under  His  eye,  more  living  above 
the  opinion  and  the  smile  of  men.  Ah,  reader,  this  is  what 
w  want  now  !  See  to  it,  see  to  it,  reader,  that  thy  pro- 
ton has  something  of  God's  breath  in  it.  See  to  it,  for 
all  the  living  power,  all  that  is  value  in  God's  sight,  may 
long  ago  have  left  it,  and  thou  be,  to  all  appearance,  a 
withered  branch  J  a  branch  fit  only  for  the  fire.  The 
L  >rd  is  at  hand.  See  that  thy  profession  is  not  the 
"  Laodicean  "  "to  be  spued  out  of  His  mouth."  Whal 
there  of  God  in  it,  reader  ?  What  is  there  of  the  taking 
up  of  thy  cross  ?  What  is  there  that  speaks  of  heaven  in 
it  in  each  hour  of  the  day?  What  that  speaks  for  Jesus 
among  thy  servants  and  family,  at  thy  fireside,  in  thy 
business,  and  in  all  thy  dealings  with  men?  What,  reader, 
what?  Oh,  fir  better  make  no  profession  than  one  which 
is  a  mockery  of  God.  See  that  when  God  comes  in  judg- 
ment lie  finds  His  own  breath  in  thy  profession,  something 
of  J I  is  own  image  in  thy  character. 


94   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

And  how  is  this  "  good  profession  "  still  more  effectually 
to  be  maintained  ?  The  apostle  shows  us.  Mark  it  well, 
reader.  "  I  give  thee  charge  in  the  sight  of  God,  who 
quickeneth  all  things,  and  before  Christ  Jesus,  who  before 
Pontius  Pilate  (or  during  the  rule  of  Pontius  Pilate) 
witnessed  a  good  confession."  It  is  by  "  looking  unto 
Jesus."  He  is  set  before  us  here  as  the  One  to  whom  the 
believer  is  continually  to  look,  and  whose  example  he  is  to 
follow.  The  Saviour's  good  confession  on  earth  is  to  be 
before  us  at  all  times.  Yes ;  to  have  a  good  profession  the 
heart  must  be  brought  continually  into  contact  with  a 
quickening  God,  and  the  eye  of  the  soul  be  ever  "looking 
unto  Jesus." 

And  how  long  is  this  to  continue  ?  "  That  thou  keep 
this  commandment  without  spot,  unrebukeable,  until  the 
appearing  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.11  Yes,  this  is  the 
blessed  hope  which  is  to  cheer  and  animate  and  encourage 
the  "  good  profession."  This  was  the  great  center  round 
which  St.  Paul  made  all  his  exhortations  to  revolve.  It 
was  ever  before  him.  He  led  everything  up  to  that.  That 
was  his  climax. 

And  so  it  should  be  ours.  Brighter  and  brighter  should 
the  "day  star"  shine  before  us.  The  streaks  of  morning 
are  over  the  hills.  The  Sun  is  beginning  to  rise,  never 
again  to  set.  "  What  manner  of  persons  ought  ye  to  be 
in  all  holy  conversation  and  godliness,  looking  for  and 
hasting  unto  the  coming  of  the  day  of  God  ?"  How  should 
we  now  be  "keeping  the  commandment  without  spot  and 
unrebukeable!"  How  should  we  be  keeping  the  word  in 
our  hearts  and  in  our  lives !  How  should  we  so  keep  it 
that  there  be  no  "  spot "  upon  it  by  our  inconsistency  of 
conduct!     How  should  we  aim  to  be  "without  rebuke," 


THE    GOOD    PROFK 

"shining  as  lights  in  the  world!"     B  bo  it  that 

thy  profession  is  L"  one,  that  thy  life  bo  a  living 

mony  foi 

'•  Which  in  His  times  He  shall  show,  who  is  the  blessed 
and  only  Potentate,  the  King  of  I.  I  Lord  of  lords." 

is  at  hand.  Man  has  had  his  times;  sin 
and  the  world,  the  flesh  and  the  devil  have  had  their 
times;  but  then  Christ  shall  have  His.  Every  rule  of  this 
world  has  failed  to  "show"  the  truth.  Everything  has 
i  "  shown"  but  Jesus  and  His  word.  For  six  thousand 
-  the  world  has  witnessed  Satan's  triumph,  and  Christ 
and  His  truth  trampled  under  foot  But  the  day  is  at  hand 
when  God  shall  show  His  Christ,  when  truth  shall  be 
manifested  in  righteousness,  when  "a  Kins  shall  reisrn  and 
prosper,"  "  Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and 
forever,"  the  "  Kins  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords."  Oh  how 
different  will  "His  times"  be  from  the  times  the  world 
has  ever  yet  seen!  Reader,  be  ready.  "Let  your  loins 
be  girt,",  and  your  lamp3  trimmed,  and  you  yourself  as  one 
who  waits  for  his  Lord.  "Blessed  is  that  servant  whom 
his  Lord,  when  He  cometh,  shall  find  watching." 

Oh  to  be  over  yonder, 

In  that  land  of  wonder, 
Where  the  angel  voices  mingle  and  the  angel  harpers  ring ; 

To  be  free  from  pain  and  sorrow, 

And  the  anxious  dread  to-morrow, 
To  rest  in  light  and  sunshine  in  the  presence  of  the  King! 

Oh  to  be  over  yonder  ! 
My  yearning  heart  arrows  fonder 
Of  looking  to  the  east  to  aee  the  day-star  bring 
Some  tidings  of  the  waking, 

The  cloudless,  pure  day  breaking'. 

My  heart  is  yearning,  yearning  for  the  euiuing  of  the  King. 


96   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

Oh  to  be  over  yonder  ! 

Alas  !  I  sigh  and  wonder, 
Why  clings  my  poor  weak  heart  to  any  earthly  thing  ? 

Each  tie  of  earth  must  sever, 

And  pass  away  forever ; 
But  there's  no  more  separation  in  the  presence  of  the  King. 

Oh  to  be  over  yonder ! 

The  longing  groweth  stronger. 
"When  I  see  the  wild  doves  cleave  the  air  on  rapid  wing, 

I  long  for  their  fleet  pinions, 

To  reach  my  Lord's  dominions, 
And  rest  my  weary  spirit  in  the  presence  of  the  King. 

Oh  to  be  over  yonder ! 

In  that  land  of  wonder, 
Where  life  and  light  and  sunshine  beam  fair  on  everything ; 

Where  the  day -beam  is  unshaded, 

As  pure  as  He  who  made  it, 
The  land  of  cloudless  sunshine,  where  Jesus  is  the  King. 

Oh  when  shall  I  be  dwelling 
Where  the  angel  voices,  swelling 

In  triumphant  hallelujahs,  make  the  vaulted  heavens  ring; 
Where  the  pearly  gates  are  gleaming, 
And  the  morning  star  is  beaming; 

Oh  when  shall  I  be  yonder,  in  the  presence  of  the  King  ? 

Oh  when  shall  I  be  yonder  ? 

The  longing  groweth  stronger 
To  join  in  all  the  praises  the  redeemed  ones  do  sing 

Within  those  heavenly  places, 

Where  the  angels  veil  their  faces 
In  awe  and  adoration,  in  the  presence  of  the  King. 

Oh  soon,  soon  I'll  be  yonder, 

All  lonely  as  I  wander, 
Yearning  for  the  welcome  summer,  longing  for  the  birds'  fleet  wing. 

The  midnight  may  be  dreary, 

And  the  heart  be  worn  and  weary, 
But  there's  no  more  shadow  yonder,  in  the  presence  of  the  King. 


THE    SUPPER    CU  Ail  HER.  97 


TEE  SUPPER  CHAMBER. 
John  xiii.  23— 2G. 


Now  there  was  leaning  on  Jesus'  bosom  one  of  his  disciples,  whom  Jesus 
loved.  Simon  Peter  therefore  beckoned  to  him,  that  he  should  ask  who  it 
should  be  of  whom  he  spake.  He  then,  lying  on  Jesus'  breast,  saith  unto 
him,  Lord,  who  is  it  ?  Jesus  answered,  He  it  is  to  whom  I  shall  give  a  sop, 
when  I  have  dipped  it.  And  when  he  had  dipped  the  sop,  he  gave  it  to 
Judas  Iscariot,  the  son  of  Simon. 

The  incidents  of  the  supper  chamber  on  the  night  of  our 
blessed  Lord's  betrayal  are  full  of  spiritual  instruction.  It 
is  to  some  of  these  I  would  particularly  direct  the  reader's 
attention  in  the  verses  I  have  selected  for  consideration. 

The  Lord's  Supper  presents  to  our  view  the  real  distinc- 
tion and  difference  between  the  sacrificial  system  of  the 
Old  Testament  and  the  spiritual  nature  of  the  present  dis- 
pensation. In  the  Old  Testament  the  distinctive  feature 
of  the  sacrificial  system  was  a  remembrance  of  sin  once  a 
year.  In  the  Lord's  Supper  it  is  "  in  remembrance  of 
Me  ;"  that  is,  of  Him  who  has  put  sin  away.  "  In  the  same 
night  that  He  was  betrayed,"  when  our  everlasting  salva- 
tion was  being  accomplished,  at  the  same  moment,  the 
foulest  treachery  was  going  on.  Thus  it  may  be  that  in 
the  midst  of  our  highest  privileges  there  may  be  the  be- 
trayal of  Christ.     The  work  of  Christ  has  a  double  effect; 

7 


98   COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

it  pardons  the  sinner  in  the  court  of  heaven,  while  faith 
brings  that  pardon  into  the  court  of  conscience.  Two 
striking  events  are  recorded  together,  connected  with  this 
betrayal,  the  fall  of  Judas  and  the  restoration  of  Peter ; 
and  they  are  recorded  together  in  order  that  we  may  have 
warning  and  encouragement  side  by  side. 

These  are  a  few  thoughts  that  will  naturally  suggest 
themselves  on  glancing  at  this  scene  in  the  supper  chamber. 
Let  us  now  direct  our  attention  to  the  passage  we  have 
selected  for  consideration.  "  Now  there  was  leaning  on 
Jesus'  bosom  one  of  His  disciples  whom  Jesus  loved." 
Mark,  reader,  when  it  was  that  the  beloved  disciple  was 
leaning  on  Jesus'  bosom.  It  was  when  treason  was  going 
on  in  the  room.  The  darker  things  grow  outside,  the 
nearer  should  we  draw  to  Jesus.  The  more  Satan  puts 
forth  his  power  in  things  around,  the  closer  should  we 
draw  to  our  Beloved. 

What  a  picture  of  the  world  was  this  supper  chamber ! 
There  were  together  the  Son  of  God  and  Satan.  There 
was  one,  and  he  a  disciple,  as  far  off  from  Christ  as  a  sinner 
can  possibly  be.  There  was  another,  and  he  too  a  disciple, 
as  near  as  saint  can  ever  be,  nearer  even  than  an  angel, 
"  leaning  on  Jesus'  bosom."  What  opposite  things  were 
going  on  in  this  chamber  at  the  same  moment,  Christ  and 
Satan  ;  John  and  Judas ;  another,  Peter,  half  way ;  one 
leaning,  another  betraying  ;  one  his  whole  soul  penetrated 
with  the  love  of  Christ ;  another,  his  whole  heart  filled 
with  hatred  and  destruction.  Surely  it  is  a  picture  of  our 
world,  drawn  with  the  pen  of  the  Spirit  of  God  ! 

But  where,  in  the  midst  of  all  this,  is  the  true  disciple 
found?  "  Leaning  on  Jesus'  bosom."  The  weight  is  laid 
on  the  permanent  resting-place.    (l  Cast  thy  burden  on  the 


THE    SUPTER    CHAMBER.  99 

Lord,  and  He  Bhall  sustain  thee."     The  very  posture  of  the 

liple  si  lows  us  the  repose   of  his  affections  in  Christ. 

What  a  sweet  resting-place  for  the  heart!     He  who  had 

not  where  to  lay  His  head  presents  His  bosom  for  us  to 
lean  upon.  Reader,  may  this  place  of  nearness  and  repose 
be  your  place,  now  that  treason  is  gathering  round  the 
person  of  the  Lord  and  His  truth  on  every  side  of  us. 

"  Simon  Peter  therefore  beckoned  to  him,  that  he  should 
ask  who  it  should  be  of  whom  He  spake." 

.Mark,  reader,  there  were  three  kinds  of  disciples  in  this 
room,  corresponding  exactly  with  three  in  the  world  now. 
There  was  one  very  near  to  Jesus,  with  a  heart  filled  with 
His  love ;  this  was  John.  There  was  another,  a  true  disci- 
ple, but  at  a  distance,  and  with  the  evidences  of  distance 
in  his  character,  hesitation,  want  of  confidence,  fear ;  this 
was  Peter.  There  was  another,  bearing  the  profession  of 
disciple,  but  with  Satan  in  his  heart;  this  was  Judas. 
These  are  the  three  classes  of  disciples  now  in  the  world, 
and  there  are  no  others. 

But  what  use  did  the  beloved  disciple  make  of  his 
nearness  ?  He  used  it  for  the  brethren's  sake,  to  ask  their 
questions,  to  relieve  their  minds,  and  to  solve  their  doubts 
and  difficulties.  Peter,  conspicuous  on  all  occasions  for 
boldness  of  character,  is  not  generally  the  last  to  ask  a 
question.  In  this  case  he  is.  As  he  looked  on  John  in 
that  place  of  nearness  and  intimacy,  he  feels  that  he  is  the 
one  to  ask  the  Lord  that  question,  because  the  bosom  of 
Jesus  is  such  a  place  to  ask  it  from.  Words  which  must 
halt  with  fear  and  dread  anywhere  else,  may  flow  freely 
there.  "Simon  Peter  therefore  beckoned  to  him."  Ah, 
the  boldest  know  how  to  value  the  disciple  leaning  on  Jesus. 
It  is  with  us  as  with  Peter  here ;  every  degree  of  distance 


100  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

from  the  Saviour  is  a  place  of  proportionate  uncertainty  in 
our  mind  towards  Him.  There  is  a  fellowship  and  com- 
munion with  Jesus  which  can  only  be  had  there,  "leaning 
on  His  bosom."  There  are  words  which  a  disciple  is  per- 
mitted to  speak  to  the  Lord,  and  which  he  may  need  to 
speak  to  Him,  and  which  can  be  uttered  nowhere  else.  And 
the  position  of  the  beloved  disciple,  in  this  narrative,  be- 
tokens the  entire  absence  of  all  doubt.  There  was  no 
thought  in  his  mind  about  personal  acceptance  with  Christ, 
not  a  shadow.  It  was  communion  of  a  much  higher  order. 
In  Peter  there  was  doubt  and  uncertainty,  characteristic 
of  the  distance  at  which  he  stood.  In  John  there  was  not 
a  shadow.  He  was  in  the  place  of  the  Beloved  in  the  Song, 
reposing  on  the  bosom  of  Jesus,  and  exclaiming,  "  lietHim 
kiss  me  with  the  kisses  of  His  mouth."  Blessed  posture  of 
soul  \  How  few  now  rise  up  to  it !  And  yet  it  is  the 
blessed  privilege  of  every  child  of  God. 

Mark,  dear  Christian  reader,  also,  that  it  was  in  that 
posture  the  Lord  gave  His  "  new  commandment,"  His 
commandment  of  "  love  "  (verses  34,  35).  The  circum- 
stances in  which  the  Lord's  words  find  us  affect  very  much 
the  manner  or  degree  in  which  we  receive  them.  If  they 
come  to  us  reposing  on  the  bosom  of  Jesus,  they  will  affect 
our  hearts  and  minds  in  a  manner  and  to  a  degree  very  dif- 
ferent from  that  in  which  they  will  affect  us  if  we  are  in 
the  place  of  distance,  like  Peter.  Contrast  the  calmness 
and  quietness  and  quick  spiritual  perception  of  John  with 
the  restlessness  and  disquiet  of  Peter.  (See  verse  37,  and 
chapter  xxi,  verse  21,  contrasted  with  John's  following 
without  a  command,  in  verse  20.)  What  is  so  noiseless  as 
the  love  of  Christ  ?  What  makes  the  heart  so  calm  and 
quiet?     Hearts  make  homes.     If  it  be  leaning  on  Jesus' 


THE    SUPPER    CHAMBER.  101 

bosom  and    drinking  in    His  love,  there  is  its  home.     It 
knows  no  higher,  not  even  in  heaven.     This  is  heaven. 

Dear  Christian  reader,  if  you  should  have  to  ask  the 
Lord  a  trying  and  difficult  question,  go  and  lay  your  head 
on  His  bosom  first  :  "  He  then  lying  on  Jesus'  breast  saith 
unto  Him,  Lord,  who  is  it?"  Depend  upon  it  we  can  wait 
for  the  answer,  whatever  it  may  be,  if  we  are  only  resting 
in  Him,  reposing  on  His  bosom.  Depend  upon  it,  all  our 
strange  prayers  and  restlessness  and  disquiet  may  be 
charged  upon  the  distance  we  live  from  Christ.  Live  near 
to  Christ.  Let  your  prayer  be,  "  Nearer  and  yet  nearer, 
Lord,  to  Thee."  Rest  satisfied  with  no  place  save  the 
bosom  of  Jesus,  on  which  you  may  fully  and  freely  lean 
your  aching  head,  with  every  weight  that  shades  your 
brow  or  presses  upon  your  heart.  Live  near,  very  near, 
and  there  may  you  be  found  when  God  sends  for  you. 

Child  of  my  love,  lean  hard, 

And  let  me  feci  the  pressure  of  thy  care. 

I  know  thy  burden,  child,  I  shaped  it, 

Poised  it  in  mine  own  hand,  made  no  proportion 

Of  its  weight  to  thine  unaided  strength. 

For  even  as  I  laid  it  on,  I  said, 

"  I  shall  be  near,  and  while  she  leans  on  me 

This  harden  shall  be  mine,  not  hers; 

So  shall  I  keep  my  child  within  the  circling  arms 

Of  mine  own  love."     Here  lay  it  down,  nor  fear 

To  impose  it  on  a  shoulder  which  upholds 

The  government  of  worlds.     Yet  closer  come, 

Thou  art  not  near  enough  ;  I  would  embrace  thy  care, 

So  I  might  feel  my  child  reposing  on  my  breast. 

Thou  lovest  me  }  I  know  it,  doubt  not  then  ; 

But  loving  me,  lean  hard. 


102     COUNSELS    FEOM    THE   WORDS   OF    TRUTH 


THIRSTING  FOE  GOB. 
Psalm  lxiii,  1  —  8. 

O  God,  thou  art  my  God  ;  early  will  I  seek  thee ;  my  soul  thirsteth  for 
thee,  my  flesh  longeth  for  thee  in  a  dry  and  thirsty  land,  where  no  water 
is ;  to  see  thy  power  and  thy  glory,  so  as  1  have  seen  thee  in  the  sanctuary. 
Because  thy  loving-kindness  is  better  than  life,  my  lips  shall  praise  thee. 
Thus  will  I  bless  thee  while  I  live  ;  I  will  lift  up  my  hands  in  thy  name. 
My  soul  shall  be  satisfied  as  with  marrow  and  fatness  ;  and  my  mouth  shall 
praise  thee  with  joyful  lips ;  when  I  remember  thee  upon  my  bed,  and 
meditate  on  thee  in  the  night  watches.  Because  thou  hast  been  my  help, 
therefore  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wings  will  I  rejoice.  My  soul  followeth 
hard  after  thee ;  thy  right  hand  upholdeth  me. 

The  believer's  resting-place  is  God  Himself.  Not  in  God's 
gifts,  however  blessed,  but  in  Himself.  And  when  a  clouc1 
comes  between  his  soul  and  the  Saviour,  not  all  the  gifts  c  ' 
heaven  nor  all  the  treasures  of  earth  can  compensate  for 
the  clouded  light  of  that  Saviour's  countenance.  He  will 
turn  away,  even  from  angels  in  heaven,  and  exclaim,  with 
a  shadowed  brow  and  a  heavy  heart,  "  They  have  taken 
away  my  Lord,  and  I  know  not  where  they  have  laid  Him." 
It  is  with  this  feeling  the  psalm  wo  have  selected  for 
consideration  opens.  It  is  the  cry  of  the  soul  after  God, 
the  living  God.  Still  it  is  the  soul  in  the  enjoyment  of 
His  presence,  but  thirsting  for  more  of  it.     To  know  God 


THIRSTING    FOR    GOD.  103 

is  to  long  to  know  more  of  Him.  The  soul  is  full  of  joy, 
and  yet  thirsts  for  more.  One  who  had  known  the  Saviour 
as  few  know  Him,  exclaimed  after  a  life  of  devotedness  to 
His  service,  "That  I  may  know  Him." 

"0  God,  Thou  art  my  God."  Mark  the  sweet  appro- 
priating word,  "  my  God."  On  this  hangs  everything  else 
in  the  chapter.  We  can  say  nothing  if  we  are  not  able  to 
say  this.  It  is  as  if  David  would  say,  "  Thou  great  and 
almighty  Being,  the  framer  of  the  heavens  and  the  earth, 
in  whose  hands  the  nations  are  as  a  drop  in  the  ocean, 
Thou  art  my  God."  Oh  the  joy  of  being  able  to  say  at  the 
opening  of  every  chapter  in  life,  "  My  God!"  Oh  the  bles- 
sedness of  being  able,  though  as  a  worm  of  the  dust,  yet  to 
look  up,  and  gazing  on  the  ten  thousand  times  ten  thou- 
sand worlds  above,  exclaim,  "  My  God  !"  Yes,  mine,  and 
I  am  His  !  Let  the  chapter  now  be  what  it  may ;  let  it 
come  freighted  with  sorrow  or  laden  with  joy  ;  let  it  come 
in  tears  of  grief  or  beaming  with  smiles,  I  am  ready. 

"  Early  will  I  seek  Thee."  Yes,  the  soul  that  can  say 
"  My  God,"  will  seek  Him  early.  The  new  nature  which 
leads  that  soul  to  the  personal  appropriation  -of  Christ, 
impels  it  to  seek  Him  first  in  everything.  The  opening 
thought  in  every  duty,  in  every  pleasure,  will  be  towards 
Him  whose  presence  fills  it  with  joy.  Other  claims  will 
indeed  come  in,  but  they  will  come  in  afterwards.  The 
heart  will  then  fully  understand  and  carry  out  the  Saviour's 
command,  "  Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God."  God's 
charge  against  Christians  now  is,  not  that  they  do  not  seek 
Him,  but  that  they  do  not  seek  Him  first.  Other  claims 
come  in  between  them  and  the  Saviour.  Thus  the  heart  is 
"  divided,"  and  they  are  "  found  faulty  "  before  Him. 

"  My  soul  thirsteth  for  Thee,  my  flesh  longeth  for  Thee 


104     COUNSELS    FROM    THE    WORDS    OF    TRUTH. 

in  a  dry  and  thirsty  land,  where  no  water  is."  Mark, 
reader,  two  experiences  here  which  always  run  side  by 
side  ;  the  thirsting  after  God,  and  the  insufficiency  of  the 
world.  Do  we  indeed  thirst  for  Him?  then  we  shall 
feel  deeply  that  this  world  is  "  a  dry  and  thirsty  land,  where 
no  water  is."  But  mark,  reader,  the  converse,  which  is 
equally  true.  Do  we  not  feel  that  this  world  is  a  dry 
place  ?  do  we  feel  at  rest  in  it,  or  find  that  it  occupies 
unduly  our  heart's  affections  ?  Then  there  will  be  no 
thirsting  for  God.  The  two  things  are  inseparable.  Oh 
that  we  would  try  our  hearts  by  this  test,  and  learn  how 
we  stand  experimentally  towards  God !  Ah,  the  man  who 
finds  this  world  even  a  tolerable  place,  can  have  no  longing 
after  Jesus  !  If  he  has  tasted  and  is  daily  tasting  the  pre- 
ciousness  of  Ghrist,  the  world  is  a  very,  very  dry  place. 
Header,  what  is  it  to  you  ?     What  is  Jesus  to  you  ? 

But  what  is  this  thirsting  and  lons-inor  for  ?  "  To  see 
Thy  power  and  Thy  glory,  so  as  I  have  seen  Thee  in  the 
sanctuary."  It  is  for  the  sanctuary,  for  the  presence  of 
God.  Alone  with  Him  it  has  learned  His  power  and  His 
glory.  It  has  seen  God.  It  has  heard  His  whisper.  It 
has  gazed  upon  His  smile.  It  has  been  filled  with  His 
breath.  The  liejht  of  heaven  has  surrounded  it.  Oh  the 
glory  of  God's  secret  presence !  What  lessons  we  learn 
there  !  What  "  glory  "  fills  the  soul !  What  "  power,"  to 
lift  us  above  the  world,  and  above  the  trials  which  press 
sorely  upon  us  !  How  unspeakably  precious  the  blood  on 
which  we  have  gazed,  and  which  has  again  and  again  given 
peace  to  our  conscience,  when  we  have  been  all  alone  with 
Him !  How  He  has  unveiled  His  face  to  us,  and  cheered 
us  with  His  sympathy,  and  strengthened  us  with  His  love ! 
How  He  has  whispered,  "  Peace,  be  still,"  in  many  a  storm  ! 


THIRSTING    FOR    GOD.  105 

How  He  has  clasped  us,  fainting  and  falling,  in  His  arms  ! 
How  He  has  wiped  away  the  tears  from  our  eyes  !  How 
near  we  have  felt  Him,  so  near  that  we  scarcely  knew 
whether  we  were  "  in  the  body,  or  out  of  the  body!"  Yes, 
we  have  experienced  all  this  in  the  sanctuary,  time  after 
time.  "We  have  seen  His  "  power  "  and  His  "  glory  "  there, 
in  ways  that  nature  could  never  show  it !  And  we  long 
for  it  again.  Our  "  soul  thirsteth  "  for  Him,  our  "  flesh 
longeth  "  for  Him.  It  is  a  "  dry  and  thirsty  land  "  we 
are  in,  and  His  sweet  presence  makes  us  feel  it  so.  There 
is  only  one  green  spot  in  the  desert,  and  that  is  "  the  sanc- 
tuary." We  long  to  see  Him,  as  we  have  seen  Him  before ; 
and  our  cry  is,  "  Turn  us  again,  0  Lord  God  of  hosts,  cause 
Thy  face  to  shine,  and  we  shall  be  saved." 

"  Because  Thy  loving-kindness  is  better  than  life,  my 
lips  shall  praise  Thee.  Thus  will  I  bless  Thee  while  I  live ; 
I  will  lift  up  my  hands  in  Thy  name."  Mark,  reader,  the 
psalmist's  estimate  of  God's  love,  "  better  than  life."  Life 
is  everything  to  us.  Yet  here  is  something  he  values  more 
than  even  his  life  !  0  reader,  what  is  Christ  to  you  ?  Can 
you  say  sincerely,  truly,  heartily,  "  I  value  my  Saviour 
and  His  love  more  than  my  own  life  f"  If  you  cannot,  you 
are  unworthy  of  Him.  If  you  cannot,  you  do  not  know 
Him.  If  you  cannot,  suspect  your  religion.  It  is  not 
genuine  !  If  you  cannot,  then  the  only  solid,  reasonable, 
intelligent  conclusion  you  can  come  to  is,  that  you  have 
"  neither  part  nor  lot  in  the  matter."  0  reader,  try  your- 
self by  this  test !  See  that  your  religion  is  real.  See  that 
it  will  stand  the  evil  day  that  is  at  hand,  the  shaking  of 
all  hearts,  and  of  all  things  in  the  world.  What  are  you  ? 
Whose  are  you  ?  Is  your  religion  worth  a  straw  f  Make 
no  mistake,  reader.     "  What  think  you  of  Christ  ?" 


106  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

But  observe,  further,  the  psalmist's  estimate  of  Christ : 
"  I  will  lift  up  my  hands  in  Thy  name."  When  Moses* 
hands  were  lifted  up,  Israel  prevailed;  when  they  fell, 
Amalek  prevailed.  Prayer  is  victory.  The  neglect  of 
prayer  is  defeat.  "  I  will  lift  up  my  hands  in  Thy  name." 
In  the  name  of  Jesus  is  victory.  The  psalmist  associates 
with  that  name  the  "  lifting  up  of  the  hands,"  or  victory  over 
all  foes.  The  "  lifting  up  of  the  hands  "  is  thus  not  only 
the  expression  of  prayer,  but  also  of  victory,  and  that 
through  the  "  name."  He  who  can  look  up  and  say,  "  My 
God,"  knows  "  in  whom  he  has  believed."  He  knows  of 
no  uncertainty.  There  is  nothing  doubtful  in  his  course. 
His  eye  is  on  Jesus,  Jesus  only,  and  there  all  is  victory. 
"  The  name  of  the  Lord  is  a  strong  tower;  the  righteous 
runneth  into  it,  and  is  safe." 

"  My  soul  shall  be  satisfied,  as  with  marrow  and  fatness ; 
and  my  mouth  shall  praise  Thee  with  joyful  lips ;  when  I 
remember  Thee  upon  my  bed,  and  meditate  on  Thee  in  the 
night  watches."  Every  remembrance  of  Christ  to  the  soul 
of  the  believer  is  precious.  There  is  such  joy  in  the  thought 
of  Him  that  it  can  only  be  faintly  expressed.  And  yet  we 
must  use  figures  to  convey  some  idea  of  what  Christ  is  to 
our  souls,  though  all  are  so  poor.  The  psalmist  uses  two 
here  to  express  it,  "  marrow  and  fatness."  These  are  the 
very  life  and  strength  and  value  of  the  animal.  The  "  fat 
of  fed  beasts,"  "  the  fat  of  lambs,"  these  are  the  figures 
constantly  used  in  the  Old  Testament  to  express  what  is 
most  precious  in  God's  sight.  This  is  the  figure  under 
which  Christ  is  presented  to  us  in  this  psalm.  The  recol- 
lection of  His  dear  name  is  so  sweet  and  "  satisfying  "  to 
the  soul ;  yea,  it  is  "  marrow  and  fatness."     It  comes  to  the 


THIRSTING    FOR    GOD.  107 

soul  through  the  corridors  of  memory,  bringing  with  it 
fullness  of  joy  to  the  longing,  thirsting  spirit. 

"  Tongue  never  spake,  ear  never  heard, 
Nor  heart  hath  e'er  conceived, 
A  dearer  name,  a  sweeter  word, 
Than  Jesus,  Son  of  God." 

"  Because  Thou  hast  been  my  help,  therefore  in  the 
shadow  of  Thy  wings  will  I  rejoice."  Again,  the  psalmist's 
heart  goes  back  to  the  presence  of  God  as  his  home.  The 
"  shadow  of  Thy  wings  "  refers  to  the  cherubim  on  the 
mercy-seat.  There  was  the  ark,  the  mercy-seat,  the 
cherubim  with  outstretched  wings,  and  over  all,  the  sheki- 
nah.  Here  God  manifested  Himself.  And  it  is  to  this 
presence  the  soul  goes  back  with  "  rejoicing."  "  In  Thy 
presence  is  fullness  of  joy."  It  is  the  home  of  the  heart. 
There  is  but  one  step  beyond,  and  that  is  into  the  unvailed 
glory  of  His  presence,  to  see  "  eye  to  eye  and  face  to  face." 
Another  sweet  truth  is  conveyed  under  this  figure,  that  of 
protection  and  safety.  "  Because  Thou  hast  been  my  help, 
therefore  in  the  shadow  of  Thy  wings  will  I  rejoice."  Christ 
is  said  to  be  as  "  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary 
land."  And  His  weeping  lament  over  Jerusalem  was, 
"  How  often  would  I  have  gathered  thee,  as  a  hen  gather eth 
her  chickens  under  her  wings  !  and  ye  would  not."  Yes, 
in  the  presence  of  Jesus  is  protection,  safety,  and  fullness  of 
joy.  Happy  the  man  who  has  learned  this  from  experience. 
Reader,  have  you  ? 

"  My  soul  followeth  hard  after  Thee ;  Thy  right  hand 
upholdeth  me."  Mark,  reader,  whence  the  psalmist  derives 
his  sense  of  security,  from  "  following  hard  "  after  God. 
All  God's  people,  from  the  least  to  the  greatest,  are  "  kept 


108  COUNSELS  FEOM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

by  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation."  Bat  if,  reader,  you 
want  to  have  the  sweet  assurance  of  this  in  your  own  soul, 
the  realization  that  He  is  indeed  holding  you  up,  and  will 
keep  you  to  the  end,  then  "  follow  hard  "  after  God.  The 
finished  work  of  the  Lord  Jesus  has  secured  your  everlast- 
ing safety ;  but  your  "  following  hard  "  after  God  will 
bring  the  sweet  assurance  and  joy  of  it  to  your  soul.  The 
finished  work  of  Jesus  has  given  you  an  "  entrance  "  into 
the  kingdom,  bat  your  u adding  to  your  faith"  will  give 
you  an  "abundant  entrance."  Oh  u  make  your  calling  and 
election  sure  !"  "  Follow  "  after  Jesus,  but  "  follow  hard!' 
"  Press  toward  the  mark."  "  Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith." 
"  Lay  hold  on  eternal  life."  "  Wrestle  with  the  princi- 
palities and  powers"  of  evil  around  you.  It  will  be  but 
for  a  few  days  longer.  Your  labor  is  now  nearly  over. 
Your  trials  and  sorrows  are  now  nearly  at  an  end.  Your 
crown  is  now  almost  in  your  grasp.  How  near  "  the  day" 
is  now  !  "Only  a  few  more  shadows,  and  He  will  come." 
Follow  Christ.  Follow  hard.  Follow  in  the  face  of  the 
world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil.  "Hold  that  fast  which 
thou  hast,  that  no  man  take  thy  crown." 

No  shadows  yonder ! 

All,  all  light  and  song 
Each  day  I  wonder, 

And  say,  How  long 
Shall  time  me  sunder 

From  that  dear  throng? 
No  shadows  yonder ! 

All,  all  light  and  song. 

No  weeping  yonder ! 

All  fled  away ; 
"While  here  I  wander 

Each  weary  day ; 


THIRSTING    FOE    GOD.  109 

And  sigh  as  I  ponder 

My  long,  long  stay  ; 
No  weeping  yonder ! 

All,  all  fled  away. 

No  parting  yonder ! 

Time  and  space  never 
Again  shall  sunder. 

Hearts  cannot  sever ; 
Dearer  and  fonder 

Hands  clasp  forever; 
No  parting  yonder ! 

Hands,  hands  clasp  forever. 

None  wanting  yonder  ! 

Bought  by  the  Lamb ! 
All  gathered  under 

The  ever  green  palm 
Loud  as  night's  thunder 

Ascends  the  glad  psalm, 
None  wanting  yonder 

Bought,  bought  by  the  Lamb, 


110    COUNSELS   FROM   THE  WORDS   OE   TRUTH. 


GOD'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  SINNER'S 
QUESTION. 

Micah  vi,  6 — 8. 

Wherewith  shall  I  come  before  the  Lord,  and  bow  myself  before  the 
high  God  ?  shall  I  come  before  him  with  burnt-offerings,  with  calves  of  a 
year  old?  Will  the  Lord  be  pleased  with  thousands  of  rams,  or  with  ten 
thousands  of  rivers  of  oil  ?  shall  I  give  my  first-born  for  my  transgression, 
the  fruit  of  my  body  for  the  sin  of  my  soul  ?  He  hath  showed  thee,  O  man, 
what  is  good ;  and  what  doth  the  Lord  require  of  thee,  but  to  do  justly, 
and  to  love  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  thy  God  ? 

The  word  of  God  ever  directs  the  sinner's  eye  to  the 
finished  work  of  the  Lord  Jesus  for  peace.  It  tells  him  to 
look  to  Jesus,  to  look  now,  and  to  behold  in  that  finished 
work  his  own  eternal  salvation,  that  which  has  brought 
him  nigh  to  God.  It  bids  him  accept  it,  and  go  in  peace. 
It  is  not  generally,  however,  that  the  sinner  looks 
directly  to  Christ.  He  takes  a  circuitous  path,  and  goes 
through  a,  process,  without  which  he  conceives  he  cannot 
attain  salvation.  Thus,  instead  of  believing  the  finished 
work  of  Jesus  for  his  soul,  and  rejoicing  in  it,  he  makes  his 
salvation  a  matter  of  attainment.  Hence  the  circuitous 
path.  Hence  the  long  process.  Very  often  this  is  not  the 
fault  of  the  sinner  so  much  as  the  obscure  way  in  which 
the  gospel  has  been  accustomed  to  be  put  before  him.  It  has 
been  so  hampered  by  conditions,  or  the  finished  work  of 
Jesus  has  been  put  forward  in  so  unfinished  a  manner  as 


god's  answer  to  the  sinner's  question.  Ill 

to  leave  him  under  the  impression  that  he  dare  not  appro- 
priate it  without  something  of  himself,  of  his  good  life,  or 
his  prayers,  or  his  repentance,  to  make  it  his. 

To  tell  him  that  it  is  his  without  any  of  these,  and 
simply  because  he  is  a  sinner,  that  his  sin  is  his  title  to  it, 
and  not  his  goodness,  and  that  he  has  only  to  receive  it  and 
rejoice,  is  to  tell  him  that  which  he  cannot  believe.  He 
prefers  working  to  believing.  He  cannot  take  it  as  a  gift. 
He  must  earn  it. 

The  passage  we  have  selected  for  consideration  brings 
before  us  the  history  of  such  a  soul.  Let  us  learn  its 
solemn  lessons  in  the  light  of  God's  Holy  Spirit. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  first  five  previous  verses  are 
occupied  with  the  testimony  of  God  to  Israel.  Israel  is 
asked  to  hear,  and  to  plead  with  God.  God  brings  before 
them  His  redeeming  love,  His  watchful  care,  and  declares 
to  them  His  righteousness. 

One  is  brought  before  us  as  affected  by  this  testimony. 
He  is  represented  as  being  awakened  up  by  it  to  inquire 
about  his  own  relation  to  God  and  acceptance  with  Him. 
He  exclaims,  "  Wherewith  shall  I  come  before  the  Lord  ?" 
It  is  a  blessed  thing  when  we  can  get  the  sinner  into  any 
state  of  concern  about  his  soul.  The  crying  sin  of  the 
majority  of  those  to  whom  the  testimony  of  the  Lord  is 
continually  addressed  is  indifference.  When  through  the 
Holy  Spirit's  teachings  we  can  get  man  to  be  concerned, 
to  exclaim,  "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?"  "  Where- 
with shall  I  come  before  the  Lord  ?"  the  sleep  is  broken, 
and  there  is  hope. 

And  this  is  the  way  the  Spirit  of  God  does  it.  He  pre- 
sents the  Word,  and  bring3  it  home  to  the  conscience. 
Concern  is  awakened.  The  state  of  the  sinner's  soul  begins 


112  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

to  occupy  his  thoughts  more  than  it  used  to  do.  Again 
and  again  he  tries  to  banish  it.  He  cannot.  Again  and 
again  the  mournful  cry  comes  up  from  his  heart,  "  What 
must  I  do  ?"  "  Wherewith  shall  I  come  before  the  Lord  ?" 

Now  comes  the  circuitous  route  the  sinner  takes,  the 
long  process  and  weariness  of  soul.  All  this  time  Christ 
has  been  presented  and  was  presented  at  the  very  first 
awakening.  "  He  hath  showed  thee,  0  man,  what  is  good," 
is  the  Lord's  rebuke  to  him  afterwards.  The  "  good  "  had 
been  shown  at  first,  but  the  soul  would  not  look  there,  and 
preferred  a  way  of  its  own. 

Mark  the  stages  through  which  it  passes.  They  form  a 
climax.  "  Wherewith  shall  I  come  before  the  Lord,  and 
bow  myself  before  the  high  God  ?"  This  is  the  first  stage. 
There  is  a  sense  of  the  greatness  and  majesty  and  holiness 
of  God.  The  religious  thoughts  of  the  man  are  at  work, 
and  he  seeks  to  "  bow  "  himself.  He  practices  humility. 
He  mortifies  the  flesh.  He  says  many  prayers.  Still  all 
is  vain.  He  has  not  peace.  Sin  is  there.  It  weighs 
heavily.  All  he  has  done  yet  has  not  removed  it.  Again 
he  cries,  "  What  shall  I  do  ?"  "  Wherewith  shall  I  come  ?" 

Mark  the  next  stage.  As  the  sense  of  sin  increases,  so 
do  the  man's  efforts.  He  makes  greater  sacrifices.  "  Shall 
I  come  before  Him  with  burnt  offerings,  with  calves  of  a 
year  old  V  These  are  great  things,  valuable,  precious.  So 
he  tries  them.  More  attention  to  religious  duties,  longer 
prayers,  alms  for  charitable  purposes,  better  attendance  at 
church,  the  observance  of  fasting  and  other  such-like  reli- 
gious duties.  Still  there  is  no  peace.  The  man  is  ill  at 
ease.  The  heart  is  not  at  rest.  Sin  is  there,  and  con- 
science holds  it  before  the  man.  He  cannot  get  rid  of  it, 
turn  what  way  he  will.  It  is  the  specter  in  his  path,  night 


GOD'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  SINNEIt's  QUESTION.  113 

and  day.  Again  the  cry  comes  up  from  his  perplexed  heart, 
"  What  must  I  do  ?"     "  Wherewith  shall  I  come  ?" 

Mark  the  next  stage.  "  Will  the  Lord  be  pleased  with 
thousands  of  rams,  or  with  ten  thousands  of  rivers  of  oil  V 
Sin  weighs  more  heavily,  and  with  it  the  sinner  again  in- 
creases his  efforts.  Larger  sacrifices,  longer  prayers,  scru- 
pulous attention  to  religious  duties,  the  poor  heart  deeply 
probed  to  root  out  all  its  evil  weeds  ;  what  a  process  !  Still 
there  is  no  peace.  Conscience  is  more  uneasy  than  ever. 
The  soul  is  well-nigh  in  despair.  Agony  is  reaching  the 
climax.  Again  it  cries  out  with  a  mournful  and  bitter  cry, 
"  What  must  I  do  ?"     "  Wherewith  shall  I  come  ?" 

Mark  the  next  stage.  It  is  the  climax.  "  Shall  I  give 
my  first-born  for  my  transgression,  the  fruit  of  my  body 
for  the  sin  of  my  soul  ?"  It  has  tried  everything  the  mind 
could  invent  or  the  heart  devise.  It  has  lacerated  the  flesh 
and  torn  the  limb.  It  has  been  on  its  bare  knees  for  hours, 
with  head  uncovered.  It  has  punished  the  flesh  in  every 
way.  It  has  spent  hours,  or  days,  or  weeks  it  may  be,  in 
prayer.  It  has  given  alms  of  a  prodigious  character.  It 
has  fasted  till  the  flesh  has  forsaken  the  body.  Still  sin  is 
there.  Still  conscience  holds  up  the  dark  picture  to  view, 
now  darker  than  ever.  The  heart  is  tossed  to  and  fro  in  a 
tempest  of  agony  and  despair.  There  is  no  peace,  no, 
none  !  All  is  dreariness  and  misery.  All  midnight  dark- 
ness in  the  soul.  One  despairing  cry  comes  up  from  the 
heart,  under  the  pressure  of  which  it  seems  ready  to  burst, 
"  What  must  I  do  ?"     "  Wherewith  shall  I  come  ?" 

Oh  painful  process !     Oh  dreary  and  desolate  route  for 

the  sinner  to  take  !  And  yet  it  is  the  history  of  thousands  ! 

How  does  Satan  darken  the  mind,  and  lead  the  soul  astray  ! 

And  what  multitudes  prefer  the  path  he  suggests,  to  the 

8 


114    COUNSELS    FROM   THE   WORDS    OF   TRUTH. 

clear,  simple  testimony  of  God,  "  The  Lord  hath  laid  on 
Him  the  iniquity  of  us  all;"  "It  is  finished;"  "He  that 
believeth  on  the  Son  hath  everlasting  life ;"  "  Go  in  peace, 
thy  sins  are  forgiven  thee ;"  "  He  hath  showed  thee,  0  man, 
what  is  good." 

The  Spirit  of  God  now  reminds  this  soul  of  something 
He  had  before  presented  to  it.  There  is  a  rebuke  implied 
in  the  words  for  its  unbelief.  "  He  hath  showed  thee,  0 
man,  what  is  good."  Look  at  that  He  has  shown  you  long 
ago.  Look  at  that,  and  not  to  your  doings,  for  peace. 
How  long  will  your  soul  go  mournfully  exclaiming,  "  Who 
will  show  me  any  good  ?"  Look  at  Jesus,  there  is  good, 
the  very  good  you  need.  The  word  "  good  "  comprises 
everything  to  be  found  in  the  work  and  life  and  character 
of  Christ.  It  contains  within  itself  all  that  God  can  give 
to  the  soul.  Look  there,  sinner,  and  see  all  thy  salvation. 
There  is  the  answer  to  thy  troubled  heart  and  sin-burdened 
conscience.  All  is  in  that  "  good  "  thing,  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.     - 

And  observe  :  "  He  hath  showed  thee."  It  is  not  some- 
thing to  do,  but  something  done,  look  at  it.  It  is  not  to 
call  forth  fresh  efforts  after  salvation  from  thee.  It  is  to 
behold  salvation  accomplished.  Thou  art  the  guilty  one 
bitten  by  the  serpent's  sting  of  sin  ;  "  behold  the  Lamb  of 
God,  which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world."  "  He  hath 
showed  thee  what  is  good."  It  is  an  object  presented  to  the 
eye  of  the  sinner's  soul,  to  which  he  is  directed  to  look. 
And  the  One  thus  "shown"  is  to  be  the  attraction  of  the 
soul  ever  afterwards.  He  is  to  be  before  the  redeemed  one 
as  the  object  of  delight,  of  wonder,  love,  and  praise. 
"  Looking  unto  Jesus,"  he  is  to  "  run  with  patience  the 
race  set  before  him."     The  One  whom   God  has  shown  to 


'god's  answer  to  the  sinner's  question.  115 

his  soul  is  to  draw  him  onward  and  upward  till  he  stands 
before  the  throne. 

Now  that  Christ  is  presented  to  the  soul,  the  creature 
may,  must  begin  to  work.  "  What  doth  the  Lord  require 
of  thee,  but  to  do  j  ustly,  and  to  love  mercy,  and  to  walk 
humbly  with  thy  God  ?"  Mark,  reader,  in  this  passage, 
how  the  order  of  the  natural  man  is  reversed.  The  one 
who  is  here  represented  as  saying,  "  Wherewith  shall  I 
come  before  the  Lord?"  has  all  his  thoughts  directed  to 
doing  and  sacrificing  first.  God  shows  him  the  "  good  " 
first,  and  then  tells  him  to  do.  Thus  the  order  of  the 
natural  man  is  entirely  reversed.  He  is  not  to  work  for 
salvation,  but  from  it.  It  is  not  "  work,"  and  you  shall  see 
"  good."  It  is  "  look  at  the  good,"  and  then  work.  It  is 
not  "Go  and  sin  no  more,"  and  then  "Neither  will  I  con- 
demn thee;"  it  is  "Neither  do  I  condemn  thee,"  then, 
"  Go  and  sin  no  more."  It  does  not  mock  the  sinner  by 
telling  him  to  work  for  God  while  it  gives  him  no  motive 
for  working.  No.  It  gives  him  a  motive  for  working, 
the  love  of  Christ  to  his  own  soul  in  the  full  and  free  for- 
giveness of  all  his  sins,  and  says,  "  Now  go  and  work  for 
me."  "  Go  home  to  thy  friends,  and  tell  them  how  great 
things  God  hath  done  for  thee." 

But  mark  what  the  redeemed  one  is  told  to  do.  First, 
"Ho  justly  "  Justice  has  reference  to  a  law.  That  law  is 
the  law  of  God,  the  word  of  God.  This  is  now  to  be  his 
guide,  the  great  rule  by  which  he  is  to  act  in  all  the  rela- 
tions of  life. 

Second,  "love  mercy."  And  why?  Because  the  Lord 
has  shown  such  mercy  to  him,  therefore  his  heart  is  to  be 
full  of  it  to  every  one  else.  He  is  to  be  merciful,  as  his 
Father  in .  heaven  is  merciful.     The  censure,  the  unkind 


116     COUNSELS    FROM    THE   WORDS   OF    TRUTH. 

construction  put  upon  another's  words  or  deeds,  the  look- 
ing at  every  one  in  the  worst  light  instead  of  the  best,  all 
this  is  to  be  forever  put  away.  He  is  to"  love  mercy." 
And  this  he  will  do  if  he  knows  anything  of  himself  and 
what  the  Lord  has  done  for  him. 

And  lastly,  "  humble  thyself  to  walk  with  God "  (see 
margin).  Why  is  this?  Because  God  can  only  walk  with 
the  humble.  " The  proud  He  knoweth  afar  off."  And  if 
the  Christian  be  not  going  down  daily  in  dust  and  ashes  at 
the  feet  of  Christ,  God  cannot  walk  with  him.  The  simple 
meaning  of  the  passage  is  this,  put  yourself  each  day,  each 
hour,  in  such  a  posture  of  soul  that  you  may  have  com- 
panionship with  God.  0  reader,  are  you  doing  this  ?  What 
does  your  daily  life  say  to  this  ?  What  know  you  of  having 
God  as  a  living,  abiding  companion  ?  Where  is  your  holi- 
ness, where  your  heavenly  mindedness,  where  your  self- 
denial,  gentleness,  patience,  forbearance,  love  ?  Have  these 
indeed  a  conspicuous  place  in  your  daily  life  ?  Oh  see  to 
it!  Have  not  the  worst  of  all  mockeries,  the  name  of 
Christianity  without  the  power  of  it.  If  conscience  tells 
you  that  you  have  it  not,  seek  it,  pray  for  it,  wrestle  with 
God  for  it.  Rest  not  till  you  bear  in  your  daily  life  a 
brighter  image  of  Christ  than  you  have  done.  "  Do  justly, 
love  mercy,  and  walk  humbly  with  thy  God."  Remember, 
reader,  this  is  no  optional  thing  with  you  Forget  it  not, 
the  Lord  "  requireth  of  thee  "to  do  this.  May  He  find 
you  thus  living  when  He  comes  ! 

Judge  not :  the  workings  of  His  brain 

And  of  His  heart  thou  canst  not  see  ; 
What  looks  to  thy  dim  eyes  a  stain, 

In  God's  pure  light  may  only  be 
A  scar  brought  from  some  well-won  field, 
Where  thou  wouldst  only  faint  and  yield. 


god's  answer  to  the  sinner's  question.  117 

The  look,  the  air,  that  frets  thy  sight, 

May  be  a  token  that  below 
The  soul  has  closed  in  deadly  fight 

With  some  infernal,  fiery  foe, 
Whose  glance  would  scorch  thy  smiling  grace, 
And  cast  thee  shuddering  on  thy  face. 

The  fall  thou  darest  to  despise, 

May  be,  the  angel's  slackened  hand 
Has  suffered  it,  that  he  may  rise, 

And  take  a  firmer,  surer  stand, 
Or,  trusting  less  to  earthly  things, 
May  henceforth  learn  to  use  his  wings. 

And  judge  none  lost ;  but  wait  and  see 

With  hopeful  pity,  not  disdain  ; 
The  depth  of  the  abyss  may  be 

The  measure  of  the  height  of  pain 
And  love  and  glory  that  may  raise 
This  soul  to  God  in  after-days, 

Adelaide  Anne  Procter. 


118  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 


THE  WOMEN  AT  THE  SEPULCHER. 
Mark  xvi;  1 — 8. 

And  when  the  Sabbath  was  past,  Mary  Magdalene,  and  Mary  the  mother 
of  James,  and  Salome,  had  bought  sweet  spices,  that  they  might  come  and 
anoint  him.  And  very  early  in  the  morning,  the  first  day  of  the  week,  they 
came  unto  the  sepulcher  at  the  rising  of  the  sun ;  and  they  said  among 
themselves,  Who  shall  roll  us  away  the  stone  from  the  door  of  the  sepul- 
cher? (And  when  they  looked,  they  saw  that  the  stone  was  rolled  away), 
for  it  was  very  great.  And  entering  into  the  sepulcher,  they  saw  a  young 
man  sitting  on  the  right  side,  clothed  in  a  long  white  garment ;  and  they 
were  affrighted.  And  he  saith  unto  them,  Be  not  affrighted ;  ye  seek  Jesus 
of  Nazareth,  which  was  crucified;  he  is  risen;  he  is  not  here;  behold  the 
place  where  they  laid  him.  But  go  your  way,  tell  his  disciples  and  Peter 
that  he  goeth  before  you  into  Galilee;  there  shall  ye  see  him,  as  he  said 
unto  you.  And  they  went  out  quickly,  and  fled  from  the  sepulcher ;  for 
they  trembled,  and  were  amazed ;  neither  said  they  anything  to  any  man  ; 
for  they  were  afraid. 

The  circumstances  in  which  Christ  is  placed  ever  draws 
to  light  the  true  disciple.  The  death  of  Christ  brings 
Joseph  of  Arimathea  on  the  stage  of  Divine  revelation. 
But  for  that,  who  would  ever  have  heard  of  him  ?  It  was 
the  same  great  event  that  drew  to  light  another  secret 
disciple,  Nicodemus.  But  for  that,  who  would  have  known 
that  his  Christianity  had  so  grown  since  the  night  on  which 
he  went  to  meet  the  Saviour  ?  It  was  the  circumstances 
in  which  that  Saviour  was  placed  that  brought  them  out 
of  obscurity  and  tested  their  character.  And  it  was  simply 


THE    WOMEN    AT    THE    SEPULCHEE.  119 

because  of  their  connection  with  Jesus  that  the  Holy  Spirit 
gives  them  a  place  and  a  name  in  the  book  of  God. 

It  was  so  then,  it  is  so  now.  If  there  was  a  true  disciple 
anywhere,  the  circumstances  in  which  the  Saviour  was 
placed  drew  him  to  light.  In  this  respect  He  was  indeed 
the  light  of  the  world,  making  manifest  everything  and 
every  one  around  Him.  It  is  the  same  now,  for  Christ  is 
still  here  in  His  members.  If  there  be  any  reality  in  our 
religion,  the  circumstances  in  which  His  people  are  placed 
will  bring  it  to  light.  "We  shall  be  found  gathering  round 
His  members  to  minister  to  them  for  the  sake  of  Jesus.  If 
we  do  not,  then  there  is  no  reality  in  our  religion.  And 
it  is  just  as  we  thus  gather  round  Christ,  that  we  are  re- 
corded by  the  Spirit.  We  get  a  living  name  before  the 
throne. 

These  are  the  opening  features  of  this  narrative.  The 
women  are  seen  round  the  person  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  His 
circumstances  have  drawn  them  to  light,  and  given  them 
an  imperishable  record  in  the  book  of  God. 

Header,  if  you  want  a  name  in  heaven,  you  must  be  in 
connection  with  Jesus.  He  must  draw  you  to  light.  You 
will  have  no  record  on  high  but  one  of  shame,  if  you  are 
not  livingly  associated  with  Jesus. 

And  how  very  different  are  the  characters  seen  around 
Him  here  !  "  Mary  Magdalene,  and  Mary  the  mother  of 
James,  and  Salome."  The  differences  morally  are  great. 
The  difference  of  degrees  of  social  rank  may  be  great.  The 
world  may  think  much  of  these  things ;  and  man,  on  ac- 
count of  these  things,  may  be  severed  from  his  fellow-man. 
But  not  around  Jesus.  There  all  are  equal.  The  Spirit 
of  God  takes  no  note  of  such  distinctions.  They  are  seen 
around  Jesus,  and  that  is  enough.  There  is  the  aristocracy 


120  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

of  heaven.  There  is  the  blood- royal.  The  Spirit  of  God, 
the  great  Artist  of  heaven,  draws  the  picture  of  these 
women  seen  around  the  person  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and 
hangs  it  up  in  the  gallery  of  grace,  that  we  may  behold 
and  learn. 

What  urged  them  onward  at  this  early  hour  of  the  day 
with  their  spices  ?  Love,  only  love.  "  The  love  of  Christ 
constraineth  us."  This  so  filled  their  hearts  that  there 
was  no  room  for  another  thought.  The  difficulties  were 
never  taken  into  account.  The  huge  stone  at  the  door  of 
the  sepulcher,  and  how  it  was  to  be  "rolled  away,"  never 
entered  their  minds.  Love,  only  love,  urged  them  on- 
ward. Love  had,  no  doubt,  kept  them  awake  all  the  pre- 
vious night,  watching  for  the  dawn,  and  the  moments,  we 
may  be  sure,  were  long  and  tedious.  What  will  not  the 
love  of  Christ  do  ? 

But  now  the  difficulties  of  the  way  have  to  be  faced.  A 
formidable  one  presents  itself.  "  Who  shall  roll  us  away 
the  stone  from  the  door  of  the  sepulcher  ?"  There  was 
good  ground,  too,  for  this  difficulty.  They  were  weak 
women,  and  the  stone  was  "  great."  It  was  no  trifling 
obstacle.  It  would  have  turned  any  one  else  back.  It 
would  have  cooled  any  other  motive  than  the  "  love  of 
Christ."  Ah  !  duties  are  ours  ;  issues  are  God's.  Let  us 
go  onward,  and  leave  the  "  great  stone,"  to  God.  The  love 
of  Christ  burns  within  us.  We  are  going  to  see  the 
Saviour.  Perish  every  other  thought !  Leave  difficulties 
with  God.  "  Roll  thy  way  upon  the  Lord ;  trust  also  in 
Him :  and  He  shall  bring  it  to  pass." 

So  they  did.  The  difficulty,  the  "great  stone,"'  de- 
terred them  not.  The  love  of  Christ  was  stronger.  And 
God,  always  true  to  His  promise,  was  true  to  their  love. 


THE    WOMEN    AT    THE    SEPULCHER.  121 

"  And  when  they  looked,  they  saw  that  the  stone  was 
rolled  away;  for  it  was  very  great." 

Christian,  go  onward.  Let  the  love  of  Christ  be  thy 
motive.  And  if  difficulties  arise,  as  they  surely  will,  even 
the  "  very  great  stone,"  yet  pause  not  to  ask  "  Who  will 
roll  us  away  the  stone  ?"  Leave  that  to  God,  and  go  on- 
ward.    Thy  motto  is,  and  must  always  be,  "  Onward." 

Not  only  do  they  find  the  stone  rolled  away,  but  receive 
the  glad  tidings  of  a  living  Saviour.  The  tomb  is  empty. 
The  herald  of  heaven  is  sitting  in  triumph  amid  the 
trophies  of  death.  What  a  reward  for  persevering  love  ! 
Yes,  if  we  go  onward  under  the  constraining  influence  of 
the  love  of  Christ,  two  things  will  always  be  the  result,  we 
shall  find  difficulties  overcome,  and  that  our  "  labor  has 
not  been  in  vain  in  the  Lord."  Love  shall  have  a  plain 
path,  though  every  step  of  it  must  be  trod  by  faith.  Love 
shall  have  a  bright  reward,  for  a  living  Saviour  is  before  it 
to  fill  every  niche  of  the  heart  with  gladness  and  joy. 

Still  we  are  in  the  body.  Sin  and  infirmity  intermingle 
with  everything  here.  They  are  "  affrighted."  That 
which  should  have  filled  them  with  the  highest  joy,  fills 
them  with  fear.  The  empty  grave,  the  pledge  of  every 
blessing  to  the  believer,  and  the  triumph  of  heaven  over 
death,  is  too  much  for  the  heart.  Ah !  how  much  God's 
truth  has  to  contend  with  before  it  can  find  a  home  in  our 
affections.  God  comes  to  our  souls  with  the  hand  full  of 
blessings,  and  we  shrink  and  tremble,  and  hesitate  and 
doubt.     We  fear  to  take  them. 

Still,  with  all  this  infirmity  and  sin,  the  love  of  Christ 
was  there,  and  that  shall  always  be  corrected  if  under  a 
cloud,  and  shall  never  go  unrewarded.  "  And  he  saith  unto 
them,  Be  not  affrighted  ;  ye  seek  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  which 


122  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

was  crucified ;  He  is  risen ;  He  is  not  here ;  behold  the 
place  where  they  laid  Him."  This  is  ever  the  word  of 
Jesus  to  the  loving  yet  fearful  heart,  "  Fear  not."  It  was 
always  on  His  lips  to  strengthen  the  drooping  and  to 
encourage  the  weak.  And  why  was  this  said  to  these 
women?  We  are  told  the  reason  :  "  Ye  seek  Jesus."  To 
those  who  seek,  "all  things  shall  be  added  unto  them." 
The  word  of  encouragement  to  every  real,  earnest  seeker  of 
Jesus  still  is,  "  Fear  not." 

"  But  go  your  way,  tell  His  disciples  and  Peter  that  He 
goeth  before  you  into  Galilee  ;  there  shall  ye  see  Him,  as  He 
said  unto  you."  Yes,  seeker  of  Jesus,  "  He  goeth  before 
you."  "  Fear  not ;  it  is  I;  be  not  afraid."  At  every  bend 
and  turn  of  your  pilgrimage-path  you  may  hear  His  voice, 
"  Fear  not ;  ye  seek  Jesus  ;  He  goeth  before  you."  Through 
the  flood  or  across  the  plain ;  through  the  dark  valley,  or 
over  the  mountain-height ;  in  the  dark  path  of  sorrow,  or 
in  the  sunshine  of  prosperity,  "  fear  not,"  seeker  of  Jesus, 
for  "  He  goeth  before  you."  "  All  things  shall  work  to- 
gether for  thy  good."  Thou  knowest  the  voice  of  the  Good 
Shepherd,  who  "  goeth  before  thee."  Thou  shalt  see  Him, 
even  as  "He  has  said  unto  thee."  Thou  shalt  see  Him, 
and  be  like  Him.  Only  press  on.  "  Seek  Jesus  ;"  and  in 
every  path  thou  wilt  see  His  footprint.  Not  one  good  thing 
of  all  that  the  Lord  thy  God  hath  promised  shall  be  lacking. 

"  But  go  your  way,  tell  His  disciples  and  Peter  that  He 
goeth  before  you."  Mark  how  Peter  is  specially  mentioned 
here.  Man  would  have  said,  yea,  Christian  man,  "  He 
basely  denied  Thee  three  times.  He  cursed  and  swore, 
and  told  lies.  He  acted  the  coward's  part;  leave  him  to 
himself."  Ah,  God  is  not  like  man.  This  was  the  very 
reason  why  he  ought  to  be  remembered.     The  man  whom 


THE    WOMEN    AT    THE    SEPULCHER.  123 

the  world  despises,  whom  the  Church  would  cast  out;  the 
Son  of  God  would  send  a  loving  message  to.  Because  he 
would  be  unthought  of  by  man,  the  Lord  would  think  of 
him.  Therefore  the  mention  specially  of  Peter,  and  lest  his 
heart  should  be  swallowed  up  of  sorrow.  Oh,  the  wondrous 
grace  of  God,  the  love  of  Jesus !  How  unlike  men,  even 
the  best  of  men  !  Yes ;  "go  and  tell  "  that  Jesus  is  risen  ! 
Tell  it  to  the  poor  downcast  one,  the  wanderer,  the  far-off 
one,  that  Jesus  is  risen.  Tell  the  glad  news  that  "  cap- 
tivity is  captive  led,"  that  death  is  conquered,  and  the 
grave  rifled  of  its  prey,  for  Jesus  is  risen  !  Tell  it  to  every 
poor  perplexed  pilgrim,  toiling  his  upward  way  to  Zion, 
Jesus  is  risen.  Tell  it ;  and  let  every  ear  listen  to  the  glad 
sound  of  victory  over  death  and  the  grave.  Tell  it ;  and 
bid  every  heart  leap  up  with  joy.  He  is  risen,  and  we  have 
risen  with  Him.  He  is  risen,  and  has  left  all  our  sins  in 
the  grave  where  He  lay.  "He  is  risen ;"  let  us  rise  with 
Him,  in  newness  of  .life.  "  He  goeth  before  "  us ;  let  us 
keep  our  eye  on  the  Conqueror,  and  follow  in  His  path. 
"  Let  us  run  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  us, 
looking  unto  Jesus."  It  may  be  with  fears;  it  maybe 
with  trembling;  it  may  be  in  "amazement,"  with  all  the 
infirmities  of  a  sinful  body  cleaving  to  us  ;  still  let  us  seek. 
Still  let  us  follow,  with  our  eye  fixed  on  Him ;  and  soon 
the  Conqueror's  crown  shall  be  placed  on  the  brow  of  the 
faithful  servant,  and  everlasting  joy  shall  be  on  his  head. 

What  poor  weeping  ones  were  saying 

Eighteen  hundred  years  ago, 
"We,  the  same  weak  faith  betraying, 

Say  in  our  sad  hours  of  woe. 
Looking  at  some  trouble  lying 

In  the  dark  and  dread  unknown, 
We  too  often  ask  with  sighing, 

"  Who  shall  roll  away  the  stone?" 


124  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH, 

Thus  with  eare  our  spirits  crushing, 

When  they  might  from  care  be  free, 
And  in  joyous  song  outgushing, 

Rise  in  rapture,  Lord,  to  Thee. 
For,  before  the  way  was  ended, 

Oft  we've  had  with  joy  to  own, 
Angels  have  from  heaven  descended, 

And  have  rolled  away  the  stone. 

Many  a  storm-cloud  sweeping  o'er  us 

Never  pours  on  us  its  rain  : 
Many  a  grief  we  see  before  us 

Never  comes  to  cause  us  pain. 
Ofttimes  in  the  feared  "  to-morrow'* 

Sunshine  comes,  the  cloud  has  flown ; 
Ask  not,  then,  in  foolish  sorrow, 

"  Who  shall  roll  away  the  stone  ?" 

Burden  not  thy  soul  with  sadness  ; 

Make  a  wiser,  better  choice  ; 
Drink  the  wine  of  life  with  gladness, 

God  doth  bid  thee,  "  Man,  rejoice.'' 
In  to-day's  bright  sunlight  basking, 

Leave  to-morrow's  cares  alone ; 
Spoil  not  present  joys  by  asking, 

"  Who  shall  roll  away  the  stone  ?" 


THE    BLIND    MAN   OF    BE1HSAIDA.  125 


THE  BLIND  MAN  OF  BETHSAIDA. 
Mark  viii,  22 — 26. 

And  he  cometh  to  Bethsaida ;  and  they  bring  a  blind  man  unto  him,  and 
besought  him  to  touch  him.  And  he  took  the  blind  man  by  the  hand,  and 
led  him  out  of  the  town  ;  and  when  he  had  spit  on  his  eyes,  and  put  his 
hands  upon  him,  he  asked  him  if  he  saw  aught.  And  he  looked  up,  and 
said,  I  see  men  as  trees,  walking.  After  that,  he  put  his  hands  again  upon 
his  eyes,  and  made  him  look  up  :  and  he  was  restored,  and  saw  every  man 
clearly.  And  he  sent  him  away  to  his  house,  saying,  Neither  go  into  the 
town,  nor  tell  it  to  any  in  the  town. 

In  God's  word,  blessings  and  warnings  are  constantly- 
blended  together.  We  sometimes  observe  the  same  thing 
in  the  actions  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  There  is  no  truth 
we  lose  sight  of  more  than  this,  that  every  ray  of  life  and 
light  and  healing  from  above  entails  a  proportionate  mea- 
sure of  responsibility.  Grace  is  sensitive,  and  if  slighted 
will  retire.  Familiarity  with  truth  brings  with  it  a  con- 
science less  impressible  to  its  voice.  A  step  farther  it  is 
seared.  It  is  a  solemn  consideration.  There  is  a  day  at 
hand  when  thousands  who  now  pass  among  men  for  Chris- 
tians will  wish  they  had  never  heard  of  Christianity.  There 
is  an  hour  approaching  when  thousands  of  professedly  reli- 
gious men  would  give  worlds  that  they  never  had  had  any 
religion  at  all. 


126  COUNSELS  FKOM  THE  WOEDS  OF  THUTH. 

Let  us  look,  in  dependence  upon  the  teaching  of  God's 
Holy  Spirit,  on  the  solemn  lessons  connected  with  the 
healing  of  the  blind  man  of  Bethsaida. 

The  Lord  Jesus,  while  performing  this  miracle,  was  con- 
veying another  lesson.  While  blessing  the  blind  man  with 
restoration  of  sight,  it  was  done  in  such  a  way  as  to  convey 
a  solemn  warning.  Bethsaida  had  been  a  highly  favored 
place.  Many  of  the  Lord's  mighty  works  had  been  done 
there.  The  grace  and  love  of  the  Redeemer  had  shone 
forth  there  in  a  wondrous  manner.  Its  privileges  had  been 
many  and  great.  But  Bethsaida  had  slighted  them.  It 
had  not  repented. 

But  though  grace  had  been  resisted,  and  the  nation  still 
remained  impenitent,  the  Lord  does  not  cast  it  off.  He 
visits  it  again.  His  arms  of  mercy  are  again  extended  to 
succor  the  needy.  He  heals,  but  in  such  a  manner  that 
they  may  see  how  sensitive  grace  is,  and  easily  grieved  by 
resistance.  He  heals,  but  with  the  manner  and  words  of 
a  wounded  heart,  and  an  indication  that  now  their  day  of 
grace  was  over,  and  His  Spirit  was  about  to  be  withdrawn. 
"And  He  took  the  blind  man  by  the  hand."  Though 
grieved  and  slighted,  that  hand  was  ever  ready  to  be  ex- 
tended at  the  cry  of  mercy.  None  ever  came  in  vain.  Hi- 
ear  was  ever  open,  His  grace  ever  full  and  free.  The  more 
needy,  the  more  welcome.  He  would  "in  no  wise  cast  out." 
But  mark  the  significant  action,  "He led  him  out  of  the 
town."  Bathsaida  had  forfeited,  by  slighting  His  grace, 
all  claim  to  see  the  works  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  His  with- 
drawal had  a  significant  meaning.  It  spoke  of  a  distance 
which  the  Lord  had  now  taken  with  regard  to  it.  It  con- 
veyed to  Bethsaida  exactly  what  familiarity  with  truth 
conveys  to  us,  a  withdrawal  of  the  Spirit's  operations;  a 


THE    BLIND    MAN    OF    BETHSAIDA.  127 

conscience  less  sensitive  and  tender;  a  heartless  moved  than 
formerly  by  the  voice  of  God.     • 

Beader,  and  especially  Christian  reader,  this  is  a  solemn 
thing.  Oh,  if  there  is  one  prayer  more  than  another  you 
should  ever  have  on  your  heart,  it  is  this,  that  you  may  be 
preserved  from  barren  familiarity  with  truth.  "  Oh,"  said 
one,  "there  was  nothing  new  in  what  he  said;  it  was  just 
what  we  all  knew  before."  Here  is  the  terrible  effect  of 
familiarity  with  truth.  It  becomes  inoperative.  And  how 
inoperative  ?  That  very  familiarity  was  the  withdrawal  of 
the  Spirit's  operation.  He  cannot  work,  for  the  heart  and 
conscience  are  untouched.  Blessed  be  God,  He  never  with- 
draws from  the  soul  in  whom  He  has  taken  up  His  abode. 
Bat  He  may  be  grieved,  and  withdraw  His  operations, 
leaving  that  soul  to  be  a  saved,  yet  so  as  by  fire." 

Observe  how  the  Lord  confirms  this  by  His  conduct. 
"  And  when  He  had  spit  on  his  eyes,  and  put  His  hands 
upon  him,  He  asked  him  if  he  saw  aught."  How  strangely 
different  is  this  from  the  Lord's  usual  manner  of  healing  ! 
He  seemed  to  doubt  His  own  power !  What  a  process, 
and  what  a  question  to  put  to  the  man  !  Why  was  all  this? 
Slighted  grace  is  sensitive.  The  Lord  doubted  not  His 
power.  But  while  the  grace  should  flow  from  Him  as  fully 
as  ever,  it  should  flow  as  from  a  wounded  spirit.  It  all 
spoke  to  Bethsaida  of  a  withdrawal  of  grace,  and  that  judg- 
ment was  at  hand.  The  stream  of  mercy  was  flowing  to  the 
needy,  but  with  reserve  and  difficulty. 

This  action  is  perfect  wisdom,  and  loses  nothing  of  love. 
If  grace  has  been  slighted,  it  is  only  right  that  if  mani- 
fested again  it  should  be  accompanied  with  some  course  of 
conduct  to  show  it  is- grieved. 

"  And  he  looked  up,  and  said,  I  see  men  as  trees  walk- 


128     COUNSELS    FROM    THE   WORDS   OF    TRUTH. 

ing."  "What  a  strange  effect  of  the  putting  forth  of  the 
Lord's  power !  His  work  only  half  done !  "With  what 
difficulty  the  healing  seemed  to  come !  It  was  as  if  in  a 
bosom  all  mercy  judgment  was  struggling  to  check  the 
outflowing  stream,  because  of  having  been  resisted.  "What 
a  solemn  lesson  for  Bethsaida  did  all  this  contain  ! 

"After  that  He  put  His  hands  again  upon  his  eyes,  and 
made  him  look  up;  and  he  was  restored,  and  saw  every 
man  clearly."  Not  till  now  does  the  full  tide  of  grace  come 
forth.  Not  till  now  is  the  needy  one  brought  under  its 
power.  "What  a  process!  Yes,  to  show  the  danger  of 
slighting  the  grace  of  God  !  It  was  retiring,  and  the  guilty 
city  would  soon  lose  every  opportunity  and  privilege.  The 
action  of  our  Lord  in  every  step  here  is  most  significant. 
He  had,  in  all  the  fullness  of  grace,  come  to  Bethsaida.  But 
because  grace  had  been  slighted  He  takes  the  man  out  oj 
the  town  before  He  heals  him,  in  order  to  show  Bethsaida 
that  henceforward  they  would  have  to  seek  Him,  and  not 
He  them. 

And  mark  the  closing  words  of  our  Lord  to  the  blind 
man.  "  And  He  sent  him  away  to  his  house,  saying, 
Neither  go  into  the  town,  nor  tell  it  to  any  in  the  town." 
Awful  words  !  The  message  of  grace  and  mercy  receives 
a  positive  prohibition  with  regard  to  Bethsaida.  It  is 
neither  to  be  there  in  the  person  of  the  restored  one  as  a 
witness,  nor  is  the  message  to  be  carried  there.  All  this 
because  of  slighted  grace. 

"  Ephraim  is  joined  unto  idols  ;  let  him  alone."  "  Make 
the  heart  of  this  people  fat,  and  make  their  ears  heavy, 
and  shut  their  eyes ;  lest  they  see  with  their  eyes,  and  hear 
with  their  ears,  and  understand  with  their  heart,  and 
convert,  and  be  healed."     "  Because  I  have  called,  and  ye 


THE    BLIND    MAN   OF    BETHSAIDA.  129 

refused ;  I  have  stretched  out  my  hand,  and  no  man  re- 
garded; but  ye  have  set  at  nought  all  my  counsel,  and 
would  none  of  my  reproof;  I  also  will  laugh  at  your 
calamity ;  I  will  mock  when  your  fear  cometh  ;  when  your 
fear  cometh  as  desolation,  and  your  destruction  cometh  as 
a  whirlwind ;  when  distress  and  anguish  cometh  upon  you. 
Then  shall  they  call  upon  me,  but  I  will  not  answer  ;  they 
shall  seek  me  early,  but  they  shall  not  find  me."  "  Woe 
unto  thee,  Bethsaida !  if  thou  hadst  known,  even  thou,  at 
least  in  this  thy  day,  the  things  that  belong  unto  thy 
peace!  but  now  they  are  hid  from  thine  eyes."  Yes, 
privilege  brings  with  it  awful  responsibility  !  "To  whom- 
soever much  is  given,  of  the  same  shall  much  be  required." 
Mark,  dear  reader,  several  instances  of  this,  and  which  are 
characteristic  of  Grod's  dealings.  To  the  poor  sinner  who 
had  never  before  heard  of  His  grace,  the  Lord  Jesus  went 
home  and  abode  with  him  as  his  honored  guest.  Zaccheus 
and  the  outcast  Samaritans,  with  whom  He  abode  two  days, 
both  speak  in  glowing  terms  of  the  fullness  and  freeness  of 
God's  grace  to  the  lost,  and  His  joy  in  meeting  them.  But 
observe  how  differently  He  acts  with  the  disciples  going  to 
Emmaus.  There  He  had  opened  their  understanding.  He 
had  spoken  to  them  out  of  the  Scriptures  "  the  things  con- 
cerning Himself."  This  was  privilege  on  their  part. 
Therefore  when  He  reached  their  house,  "  He  made  as 
though  He  would  have  gone  farther."  Theirs  was  the 
privilege  to  know  the  truth,  and  therefore  theirs  was  the 
responsibility  to  act  upon  it  by  asking  Him  to  "  abide  with 
them."  Much  had  been  given,  and  now  much  is  expected. 
If  they  had  not  asked,  grace  would  have  been  slighted,  be- 
cause it  would  have  shown  that  their  hearts,  instead  of 
"burning  within  them,"  had  been  uninfluenced  by  His 
9 


130  COUNSELS  FEOM  THE  WOEDS  OF  TRUTH. 

words.  This  may  throw  further  light  on  our  Lord's  words 
to  the  woman  of  Samaria,  "  If  thou  knewest  the  gift  of 
God,  and  who  it  is  that  saith  unto  thee,  Give  me  to  drink, 
thou  wouldst  have  asked  of  Him,  and  He  would  have  given 
thee  living  water."  The  knowledge  would  have  been  the 
privilege,  and  to  ask  would  have  been  acting  on  the  re- 
sponsibility ;  otherwise  grace  would  have  been  slighted. 
Mark,  dear  reader,  one  more  remarkable  instance  in  con- 
firmation of  this.  The  prophet  Isaiah  had  had  his  eyes 
opened  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  to  see  his  true  state  as  a 
sinner,  and  the  state  of  every  one  around  him  (see  chapter 
vi,  5 — 8).  The  grace  of  God  appears  with  the  live  coal 
from  the  altar,  and  cleanses  him  from  sin.  Oh,  this  is 
privilege,  the  highest  of  all !  But  now  mark  how  "  much 
is  expected."  There  is  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying 
to  him,  "Who  will  go  for  us?"  It  does  not  say  to  the 
prophet,  "  Go."  It  asks,  "  Who  will  go?"  It  expects  the 
answer  proportionate  to  the  grace  that  has  been  given : 
"  Lord,  here  am  I ;  send  me."  If  this  had  not  come,  grace 
would  have  been  slighted,  because  it  would  have  shown, 
that  the  cleansing  had  not  been  valued.  0  reader,  learn 
the  lesson !  Let  every  privilege  carry  you  to  prayer,  to 
beseech  God  to  make  you  feel  the  awful  responsibility  that 
has  accompanied  it.  You  know  much,  oh  aim  to  live  up 
to  what  you  know !  "  Much  has  been  given,"  oh  strive 
earnestly  in  prayer  that  you  be  enabled  to  give  back  much  ! 
Never  let  truth,  by  familiarity,  become  inoperative.  This 
has  already  drawn  a  veil  between  God  and  the  souls  of  thou- 
sands of  Christians.  There  is  no  love  of  secret  prayer. 
There  is  no  panting  after  God's  presence.  There  is  a 
dullness  within  about  heavenly  things.  There  is  a  distance, 
painfully  felt  and  carried  about  with  them,  between  their 


THE    BLIND    MAN   OF   BETHSAIDA.  131 

souls  and  God.  There  is  no  calm  peace  or  secret  joy  within. 
There  was  once,  and  the  conscience  has  a  painful  recollec- 
tion of  it  as  of  a  thing  that  has  gone.  Many  a  soul  is  bit- 
terly feeling : — 

'*  What  peaceful  hours  I  once  enjoyed ! 

How  sweet  their  memory  still ! 
But  they  have  left  an  aching  void 

The  world  can  never  fill." 

And  what  is  all  this  ?  Oh  it  is  the  history  of  Bethsaida 
over  again  !  It  is  grace  slighted  and  in  the  act  of  retiring. 
It  is  an  indication  of  coming  judgment  on  that  soul.  "  Be 
watchful,  and  strengthen  the  things  which  remain,  that  are 
ready  to  die :  for  I  have  not  found  thy  works  perfect  be- 
fore God.  Bemember,  therefore,  how  thou  hast  received 
and  heard,  and  hold  fast,  and  repent.  If,  therefore,  thou 
shalt  not  watch,  I  will  come  on  thee  as  a  thief,  and  thou 
shalt  not  know  what  hour  I  will  come  upon  thee."  0 
reader,  and  especially  Christian  reader,  take  warning ! 

Mark  that  long  dark  line  of  shadows, 

Stretching  far  into  the  past ; 
Every  day  it  seems  to  lengthen  ; 

Whither  does  it  tend  at  last  ? 
Each  one  added  to  the  hostsx 

From  the  present  moment  flies ; 
These  are  Time's  forgotten  ghosts, 

Fleeted  opportunities. 

Characters  of  light  or  darkness 

Gabriel's  pen  from  each  requires ; 
God  records,  if  man  forgets  them ; 

Numbers  each  as  each  expires. 
And  the  awful  spectres  all 

In  the  day  of  God  will  rise, 
Witnesses  at  Heaven's  call, 

Fleeted  opportunities. 


132  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

Buried  powers  of  good  unmeasured, 

Hardly  present  did  ye  seem, 
Yet  I  thought  I  should  have  treasured, 

When  ye  vanished  like  a  dream. 
Crushing  now  my  sinful  soul, 

All  your  weight  upon  it  lies ; 
Jesus'  blood  must  o'er  ye  roll, 

Fleeted  opportunities. 

O  my  soul,  no  further  lengthen 

Wilfully  this  ghostly  train  ; 
Rise,  and  seek  for  grace  to  strengthen, 

Where  'twas  never  sought  in  vain. 
Lost,  this  hour  but  adds  another 

To  those  solemn  witnesses  ; 
Every  living  soul's  thy  brother, 

Mark  thine  opportunities.  L.  N.  R. 


LESSONS   FROM   THE   WELL   OF   SYCHAR.      133 


LESSONS  FROM  THE  WELL  OF  SYCHAR, 
John  iv,  1-42. 

When  therefore  the  Lord  knew  how  the  Pharisees  had  heard  that  Jesus 
made  and  baptized  more  disciples  than  John  (though  Jesus  himself  bap- 
tized not,  but  his  disciples),  He  left  Judea,  and  departed  again  into 
Galilee.  And  he  must  needs  go  through  Samaria.  Then  cometh  he  to  a 
city  of  Samaria,  which  is  called  Sychar,  near  to  the  parcel  of  ground  that 
Jacob  gave  to  his  son  Joseph,  Now  Jacob's  well  was  there.  Jesus  there- 
fore being  wearied  with  his  journey,  sat  thus  on  the  well :  and  it  was  about 
the  sixth  hour.  There  cometh  a  woman  of  Samaria  to  draw  water ;  Jesus 
saith  unto  her,  Give  me  to  drink.  (For  his  disciples  were  gone  away  unto 
the  city  to  buy  meat.)  Then  saith  the  woman  of  Samaria  unto  him,  How 
is  it  that  thou,  being  a  Jew,  askest  drink  of  me,  which  am  a  woman  of 
Samaria  ?  for  the  Jews  have  no  dealings  with  the  Samaritans.  Jesus 
answered  and  said  unto  her,  If  thou  knewest  the  gift  of  God,  and  who  it  is 
that  saith  to  thee,  Give  me  to  drink ;  thou  wouldest  have  asked  of  him,  and 
he  would  have  given  thee  living  water.  The  woman  saith  unto  him,  Sir, 
thou  hast  nothing  to  draw  with,  and  the  well  is  deep  ;  from  whence  then 
hast  thou  that  living  water  ?  Art  thou  greater  than  our  father  Jacob, 
which  gave  us  the  well,  and  drank  thereof  himself,  and  his  children,  and 
his  cattle?  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  her,  Whosoever  drinketh  of  this 
water,  shall  thirst  again  ;  but  whosoever  drinketh  of  the  water  that  I  shall 
give  him,  shall  never  thirst;  but  the  water  that  I  shall  give  him,  shall  be 
in  him  a  well  of  water  springing  up  into  everlasting  life.  The  woman  saith 
unto  him,  Sir,  give  me  this  water,  that  I  thirst  not,  neither  come  hither  to 
draw.  Jesus  saith  unto  her,  Go  call  thy  husband,  and  come  hither.  The 
woman  answered  and  said,  I  have  no  husband.  Jesus  said  unto  her,  Thou 
hast  well  said,  I  have  no  husband ;  for  thou  hast  had  five  husbands,  and  he 
whom  thou  now  hast,  is  not  thy  husband  ;  in  that  saidst  thou  truly.  The 
woman  saith  unto  him,  Sir,  I  perceive  that  thou  art  a  prophet.  Our  fathers 


134     COUNSELS    FROM    THE   WORDS   OF    TRUTH. 

worshiped  in  this  mountain :  and  ye  say,  that  in  Jerusalem  is  the  place 
where  men  ought  to  worship.  Jesus  saith  unto  her,  Woman,  believe  me 
the  hour  cometh,  when  ye  shall  neither  in  this  mountain,  nor  yet  at  Jerusa- 
lem, worship  the  Father.  Ye  worship  ye  know  not  what;  we  know  what 
we  worship,  for  salvation  is  of  the  Jews.  But  the  hour  cometh,  and  now 
is,  when  the  true  worshipers  shall  worship  the  Father  in  spirit  and  in 
truth ;  for  the  Father  seeketh  such  to  worship  him.  God  is  a  Spirit ;  and 
they  that  worship  him,  must  worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  The 
woman  saith  unto  him,  I  know  that  Messias cometh,  which  is  called  Christ; 
when  he  is  come,  he  will  tell  us  all  things.  Jesus  saith  unto  her,  I  that 
speak  unto  thee  am  he. 

And  upon  this  came  his  disciples,  and  marveled  that  he  talked  with  the 
woman  ;  yet  no  man  said>  What  seekest  thou  ?  or,  Why  talkest  thou  with 
her  ?  The  woman  then  left  her  water  pot,  and  went  her  way  into  the  city, 
and  saith  to  the  man,  come,  see  a  man  which  told  me  all  things  that  ever 
I  did ;  is  not  this  the  Christ  ?  Then  they  went  out  of  the  city,  and  came 
unto  him. 

In  the  meanwhile  his  disciples  prayed  him,  saying,  Master,  eat.  But 
he  said  unto  them,  I  have  meat  to  eat  that  ye  know  not  of.  Therefore  said 
the  disciples  one  to  another,  Hath  any  man  brougth  him  aught  to  eat? 
Jesus  saith  unto  them,  My  meat  is  to  do  the  will  of  him  that  sent  me,  and 
to  finish  his  work.  Say  not  ye.  There  are  yet  four  months,  and  then  cometh 
harvest  ?  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  Lift  up  your  eyes,  and  look  on  the  field  ^ 
for  they  are  white  already  to  harvest.  And  he  that  reapeth  receiveth 
wages,  and  gathereth  fruit  unto  life  eternal ;  that  both  he  that  soweth,  and 
he  that  reapeth,  may  rejoice  together.  And  herein  is  that  saying  true,  One 
soweth,  and  another  reapeth.  I  sent  you  to  reap  that  whereon  ye  bestowed 
no  labor ;  other  men  labored,  and  ye  are  entered  into  their  labors. 

And  many  of  the  Samaritans  of  that  city  believed  on  him  for  the  saying 
of  the  woman,  which  testified,  He  told  me  all  that  ever  I  did.  So  when  the 
Samaritans  were  come  unto  him,  they  besought  him  that  he  would  tarry 
with  them;  and  he  abode  there  two  days.  And  many  more  believed,  be- 
cause of  his  own  word  ;  and  said  unto  the  woman,  Now  we  believe,  not 
because  of  thy  saying ;  for  we  have  heard  him  ourselves,  and  know  that 
this  is  indeed  the  Christ,  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  records  in  G-od's  word  is  the 
Lord  s  conversation  with  the  woman  of  Samaria.  It  is 
like  one  of  those  fine  landscapes  drawn  by  some  master- 
hand  renowned  in  history,  upon  which  we  gaze  with  rap- 
ture.    The  longer  we  gaze,  the  more  we  seem  to  admire. 


LESSONS    FROM    THE    WELL    OF    SYCHAR.       135 

Fresh  beauties  unfold  themselves  one  by  one,  which  at  first 
we  had  not  noticed.     The  picture  is  perfect. 

So  it  is  with  the  chapter  we  have  selected  for  considera- 
tion. It  is  one  of  the  most  striking  in  God's  word  for 
suggestive  thought  and  fullness  of  detail.  Let  us  look  at 
some  of  its  instructive  features. 

We  are  told  at  the  outset,  that  Jesus  "  must  needs  go 
through  Samaria."  The  necessity  for  this  was  twofold ; 
first,  because  it  lay  in  His  way;  secondly,  to  meet  and 
seek  and  save  this  sinner.  Some  would  say  the  latter  was 
the  "  needs."  I  prefer  to  think  it  was  both.  God  teaches 
His  spiritual  lessons  through  the  natural  arrangements 
and  circumstances  of  daily  life.  The  age  of  miracles  is 
past.  He  speaks  through  the  natural  His  manifold 
spiritual  lessons.  There  is  wisdom  in  this.  Our  way  is 
often  to  divorce  them,  to  make  the  natural  something  with 
which  He  has  nothing  to  do.  God  would  teach  us  to  see 
Him  in  everything;  to  mark  His  spiritual  lessons  con- 
veyed through  ordinary  events.  The  natural  is  the  shell ; 
the  spiritual,  the  kernel  contained  in  it.  The  necessity 
was  Samaria,  because  it  lay  in  His  way.  The  spiritual 
was  to  meet  the  sinner  in  that  way. 

"  There  cometh  a  woman  of  Samaria  to  draw  water ; 
Jesus  saith  unto  her,  Give  me  to  drink."  How  natural  all 
this  seems  to  be  !  The  Saviour,  wearied  and  jaded,  and  the 
woman  just,  as  we  would  say,  "happening"  to  come  and 
draw  water,  and  He  asking  for  a  drink.  It  was  just  a 
simple,  common-place  remark.  And  yet  out  of  this  little 
thino;  the  Lord  raised  a  oreat  matter.  He  built  on  it  the 
great  superstructure  of  the  salvation  of  this  woman's  soul. 
It  was  an  ordinary  quastion,  but  He  took  it  out  of  the  or- 
dinary, and  made  it  great.     He  thus  shows  us  how  we  may 


136  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

tarn  any  of  the  little  things  of  life  into  a  glorious  channel. 
A  word,  a  conversation,  a  question  or  answer,  if  the  soul 
be  only  right  towards  God,  how  we  may  turn  it  so  as  to 
glorify  Him,  and  make  it  a  great  blessing  to  others!  In 
our  general  conversation,  in  our  morning  calls,  in  our 
leisure  hours,  how  little  anxiety  there  is  to  do  this  !  How 
many  opportunities  are  lost !  How  much  time  is  frittered 
away  !  How  little  anxiousness  to  turn  the  passing  remark 
into  a  channel  that  will  prove  a  blessing  to  those  around, 
and  glorify  God ! 

Mark  another  truth  taught  us  in  the  Lord's  question. 
His  great  desire  was  to  win  this  sinner's  soul.  How  did 
He  begin  ?  By  making  Himself  a  debtor  to  her.  He  took 
the  lower  place,  "Give  me  to  drink."  There  is  no  way  so 
effectual  to  gain  the  heart  as  to  become  a  debtor  to  that 
heart.  The  higher  the  ground  on  which  we  place  that 
man,  and  the  lower  the  ground  we  take  ourselves,  the  more 
certain  we  are  to  succeed.  If  you  want  to  draw  out  that 
heart,  to  gain  an  influence  over  it,  make  that  man  kind  to 
you.  Ask,  and  receive  some  kindness.  He  who  knew  man's 
heart  as  none  else  knew  it,  knew  the  way  to  win  it,  and 
said,  "  Give  me  to  drink."  Let  us  do  the  same,  and  we  too 
shall  possess  the  power.  First  will  come  surprise,  then  at- 
tention, then  interest,  then  desire,  and  thus  the  heart  will 
be  won. 

The  natural  man  lives  in  the  midst  of  natural  things. 
All  his  thoughts  being  under  the  influence  of  what  is  near 
and  seen,  he  cannot  enter  into  anything  higher.  Never- 
theless, the  things  seen  and  temporal,  and  which  press  upon 
us  so  closely  in  every  hour  of  the  day,  are  only  the  medium 
through  which  spiritual  realities  are  cast  upon  us.  When 
we  come  to  look  on  all  here  as  shadows,  and  have  our 


LESSONS    FROM    THE    WELL   OF   SYCHAR.       137 

thoughts,  desires,  and  affections  directed  to  the  substances 
which  are  reflected  through  them,  then  is  God's  work  ac- 
complished. This  is  what  God,  by  His  Holy  Spirit,  is 
striving  to  bring  us  to  in  everything.  "  The  woman  saith 
unto  Him,  Sir,  Thou  hast  nothing  to  draw  with,  and  the 
well  is  deep;  from  whence  then  hast  Thou  that  living 
water?"  The  Lord  leads  her  thoughts  up  to  the  well  of 
which  that  was  only  a  shadow,  to  the  water  of  which  that 
was  only  a  dim  reflection. 

"  The  woman  saith  unto  Him,  Sir,  give  me  this  water, 
that  I  thirst  not,  neither  come  hither  to  draw."  The  way 
in  which  the  Lord  was  leading  this  woman  is  strikingly 
characteristic  of  His  leadings  now.  To  lead  man  to  see  that 
there  is  something  higher  than  'present  things  which  he 
does  not  yet  possess,  but  which,  if  he  possessed,  would 
satisfy  his  craving^  after  happiness,  and  thus  to  create 
within  a  desire  for  that  higher  thing,  is  the  history  of  many 
a  well-trodden  path  from  darkness  to  light.  It  was  thus 
the  Lord  was  leading  this  woman.  Her  attention  was 
roused.  Her  mind  was  interested.  Her  desires  were 
exercised  after  this  water  which  she  felt  she  had  not  got. 
The  earthly  was  lost  sight  of  in  a  desire  after  the  heavenly. 
And  above  all,  that  desire  was  expressed  to  One  who  alone 
could  grant  it.  This  was  a  new  state  of  things.  It  was 
light  breaking  in  on  the  soul. 

But  if  her  desire  was  to  be  granted,  it  must  be  by  con- 
science being  brought  under  conviction  of  sin.  The 
"living  water"  cannot  be  poured  into  an  uncleansed 
vessel.  The  heart  must  be  laid  bare  before  God.  The 
conscience  must  pass  through  deep  conviction  of  sin.  The 
natural  man  must  be  exposed  to  view,  and  we  must  see 
ourselves ;  see  ourselves,  too,  in  all  our  deformity  in  the 


138  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

very  presence  of  the  Searcher  of  hearts.  This  was  now 
the  ordeal  through  which  this  woman  had  to  pass.  And 
yet  the  way  in  which  the  Lord  proceeded  is  striking  and 
instructive.  His  conduct  furnishes  us  with  an  example 
which  we  would  do  well  to  follow.  He  did  not  point  out 
her  sin  first,  as  we  generally  do ;  He  first  tried  to  win  her 
by  receiving  a  kindness  from  her.  Next  He  spoke  to  her 
about  kind  things,  about  the  living  water,  everlasting  life, 
and  His  willingness  to  give  it.  Thus  He  approached  her. 
After  all  this  was  done,  He  said,  "  Go,  call  thy  husband, 
and  come  hither."  We  have  a  similar  illustration  of  our 
Lord's  mode  of  acting  on  the  shore  of  Tiberias.  He  was 
about  to  reprove  Peter  for  thrice  denying  Him  on  the  cross, 
by  asking  him  three  times,  "  Lovest  thou  me  ?"  Before 
doing  so,  however,  he  says,  "  Come  and  dine!'  Thus  by 
disarming  the  mind  of  any  unkind  motive  in  the  rebuke 
He  was  about  to  administer,  He  rebuked  effectively.  So 
with  this  woman.  He  first  spoke  of  kind  things,  and  thus 
prepared  the  way  for  touching  her  conscience.  Before  we 
can  gain  the  soul,  we  must  win  the  heart.  Our  first  ap- 
proach must  always  be  love,  by  receiving  a  kindness.  Then 
we  may  proceed  to  reprove.  We  generally  act  the  reverse 
of  this,  and  hence  the  reason  we  so  seldom  succeed.  Never 
begin  with  the  conscience  till  you  are  quite  sure  you  have 
won  the  heart. 

Another  point  worthy  of  notice  is,  that  in  touching  the 
conscience,  our  Lord  did  not  begin  by  expatiating  on  the 
corruption  of  human  nature.  He  did  not  dwell  on  generali- 
ties. He  pointed  out  one  particular  sin,  one  clear,  unmis- 
takable, admissible  sin,  one  from  which  the  conscience 
could  not  shrink.  So  should  it  be  with  us.  We  should 
be  definite.     We  should  abstain    from   generalities.     We 


LESSONS    FROM    THE   WELL    OF    SYCHAR.       139 

should  fix  upon  a  point  in  the  character.  When  we  have 
brought  the  conscience  fully  under  -the  power  of  that  one 
sin,  depend  upon  it  we  have  done  more  to  lead  it  in  re- 
pentance to  the  feet  of  Christ,  than  by  weeks  of  sermon- 
izing. 

Another  point  equally  worthy  of  remark,  is  the  gentle 
way  in  which  the  Lord  pointed  it  out.  "  He  whom  thou 
now  hast  is  not  thy  husband."  That  was  all  He  said.  He 
passed  on  to  speak  of  something  else.  He  did  not  dwell 
on  the  woman's  sin.  He  did  not  keep  dragging  it  to  light, 
and  holding  it  up  before  her.  He  just  clearly  and  pointedly 
brought  it  to  light,  and  passed  on.  How  often  do  we  spoil 
a  rebuke  by  dwelling  too  long  on  it !  How  fond  we  are 
of  coming  back  again  to  the  same  point !  Oh  how  unlike 
Christ !  Thus  the  flesh  begins  to  resent  the  exposure,  and 
failure  is  the  result.  See  how  marked  this  was  on  other 
occasions  in  our  Lord's  life  :  "  Sin  no  more,  lest  a  worse 
thing  come  unto  thee;"  "  Go,  and  sin  no  more;"  "Her 
sins,  which  are  many,  are  all  forgiven."  How  quickly  He 
passed  on  after,  by  a  word,  bringing  the  sin  to  light !  Oh 
that  we  had  the  Saviour's  mind,  and  could  follow  His 
blessed  example ! 

Mark  another  point.  "  Go,  call  thy  husband,"  says  the 
Saviour.  But  lest  the  conscience  thus  touched  should, 
under  a  sense  of  shame,  retire  from  His  presence,  He  adds, 
"  and  come  hither."  Yes,  if  the  Lord  convinces  of  sin,  there 
is  always  an  encouraging  word  along  with  it.  If  He  exposes 
us  to  view,  it  is  not  to  drive  us  from  His  presence.  It  is 
that  we  may  come  to  Him.  We  may  rest  assured  that 
whenever  the  finger  of  God  stirs  the  stagnant  waters  of  the 
soul,  there  is  always  a  voice  accompanying  His  dealings; 
"  and  come  hillier" 


140     COUNSELS    FROM    THE    WORDS    OF    TRUTH. 

Nor  need  the  poor  convicted  soul  fear  a  rebuke  from  the 
lips  of  Jesus.  If  the  honest  confession  of  sin  is  made  in  His 
presence,  "  I  have  no  husband,"  it  is  not  to  receive  the 
censure,  but  the  approval.  There  was  the  undisguised, 
candid  confession  of  her  guilt,  and  this  with  the  eye  of  the 
Searcher  of  all  hearts  upon  her.  Mark  the  Lord's  answer : 
"Thou  hast  well  said;"  "  In  that  saidst  thou  truly."  No 
frown,  no  censure,  no  condemnation ;  none !  Only  the 
voice  of  encouragement  to  the  honest  confession  of  guilt, 
"  ivell "  and  "  truly  "  said.  Oh  how  encouraging  to  the 
sinner  to  come  to  Jesus !  How  gently,  wisely,  lovingly, 
He  deals  with  the  sensitive  soul !  Others  may  deal 
roughly  or  harshly ;  He  is  all  tenderness  and  compassion. 
Try  Him,  sinner,  and  prove  it  for  thyself! 

Little  did  the  woman  think  when  she  looked  at  the 
Saviour,  and  said,  "  Sir,  give  me  this  water,"  what  she  was 
asking  for,  or  how  it  would  be  granted.  We  ask  to  be  made 
to  love  Him,  and  that  He  would  give  us  the  peace  of  His 
people,  and  He  answers  it  by  exposing  our  hearts  to  view, 
and  making  us  drink  the  cup  of  conscious  shame  and 
sorrow.     We  ask,  nay,  we  sing  : — 

"  Nearer,  my  God,  to  Thee, 

Nearer  to  Thee, 
E'en  though  it  be  a  cross 

That  raiseth  me;" 

And  we  sing  it  earnestly,  too  ;  and  God  snatches  from  our 
side  a  loved  wife,  or  husband,  or  darling  child,  and  lays  it 
beneath  the  green  sod.  Or  perhaps  He  sends  ruin  on  oar 
prospects,  and  crosses  in  our  fornily  circle,  or  lays  us  for 
years  on  a  sick-bed.  Ah !  our  prayers  are  being  answered, 
but  we  never  counted  on  all  this.  Yet  "  He  led  them  forth 


LESSONS    FROM    THE    WELL    OF    SYCHAR.       141 

by  a  right  way."  It  is  all  wrong,  very  wrong,  if  we  look 
at  it  by  sight.  But  faitli  can  say  in  the  midst  of  it  all,  "a 
right  way."  What !  the  Bed  Sea  before  us  and  Pharaoh 
and  his  hosts  behind,  that  a  right  way?  Yes,  faith  answers, 
"a  right  way."  "Stand  still,  and  see  the  salvation  of  the 
Lord;  for  the  Egyptians  whom  ye  have  seen  to-day,  ye 
shall  see  them  again  no  more  forever." 

The  Saviour  now  brought  her  whole  life  before  her  : 
"  For  thou  hast  had  five  husbands;  and  he  whom  thou 
now  hast  is  not  thy  husband."  She  saw  she  was  discovered. 
He  had  gone  back  into  her  history  for  years,  and  she  felt 
He  knew  all.  She  felt  an  eye  was  upon  her  that  was  gazing 
down  to  the  very  bottom  of  her  heart.  And  though  for  a 
moment,  like  Adam  in  the  garden,  under  a  sense  of  sin,  she 
ran  to  hide  herself  behind  a  tree,  and  that  too  a  religious 
tree,  she  saw  His  love  and  grace,  and  that  chained  her  to 
the  spot.  "  Sir,  I  perceive  that  Thou  art  a  prophet.  Our 
fathers  worshiped  in  this  mountain."  What  had  this  to  do 
with  the  question  of  her  sin  ?  Nothing.  It  was  just  con- 
science, stung  to  the  quick,  rushing  to  hide  itself  behind  the 
tree. 

Still  the  Lord  Jesus  does  not  lay  hold  of  her  conscience, 
and  drag  it  from  its  hiding-place,  as  some  would  do.  She 
saw  Him.  She  saw  herself.  That  was  enough.  He  who 
had  opened  the  wound  would  never  irritate  it  by  dragging 
the  sin  again  to  light.  No.  He  would  now  sit  at  that  well 
to  heal  the  wound  He  had  made,  to  "  bind  up  the  broken- 
hearted." He  follows  her  in  her  conversation,  suffering 
Himself  to  be  led  on,  rather  than  that  He  should  lead  her ; 
thus  preserving  the  gracious  manner  with  which  He  had 
commenced.  "  Our  fathers  worshiped  in  this  mountain; 
and  ye  say  that  in  Jerusalem  is  the  place  where  men  ought 


142  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

to  worship."     Her  ideas  of  worship  were  altogether  carnal. 
Living  only  in  the  seen  and  temporal,  she  associated  it 
entirely  with,  place.     Gerizim  or  Jerusalem,  either  one  or 
the  other  it  must  be  in.     Our  Lord  raises  it  to  a  higher 
Iced.     He  takes  it  out  of  the  region  of  things  "  seen  and 
temporal."     He  divests  it  altogether  of  place.     "  God  is  a 
Spirit ;  and  they  that  worship  Him  must  worship  Him  in 
irit  and  in  truth."  He  takes  her  thought  about  worship, 
.id  raises  it  up  to  a  spiritual  level.     It  is  not  in  a  con- 
crated  place  or  an  unconsecrated,  and  yet  it  may  be  in 
soth.     These  things  have  nothing  to   do  with  it.     It  is 
spiritual.     Worship  is  in  the  heart.     It  is  the  approxima- 
tion of  the  heart  to  God.     "  God    is  a  Spirit ;  and   they 
bat  worship  Him  must  worship  Him  in  spirit."     It  must 
be  your  spirit  meeting   His  Spirit.     There   must  be  an 
affinity  between  your  mind  and  His,  or  else  there  can  be 
no  approximation  of  heart.     And  where  there  is  not  this, 
be  what  else  there  may,  it  is  not  worship.     It   is   only 
hypocrisy,  even  under  its  best  garb. 

"  The  woman  saith  unto  Him,  I  know  that  Messias 
cometh,  which  is  called  Christ;  when  He  is  come,  He  will 
tell  us  all  things.  Jesus  saith  unto  her,  I  that  speak  unto 
thee  am  He."  The  woman  seems  in  these  words  to  have 
gathered  up  all  her  doubts  and  perplexities  in  this  word, 
"  I  know  that  Messias  cometh  ;  He  will  tell  us  all  things." 
It  is  as  if  she  would  say,  "  I  do  not  know,  I  cannot  see,  I 
am  in  darkness  and  doubt ;  but  I  know  all  will  be  right 
then."  It  is  these  earnest  yet  perplexed  thoughts  of  the 
heart  that  the  Lord  Jesus  came  to  meet ;  "  I  that  speak 
unto  thee  am  He."  What  longings  and  expectations,  what 
perplexities  intermingled  with  hope,  what  light  struggling 
with  darkness,  are  to  be  found  shut  up  in  many  a  bosom, 


LESSONS   FROM   THE   WELL    OF    SYCHAR.       143 

carried  through  life  with  a  careworn  brow  and  an  aching 
heart !  When  shall  this  mystery  be  solved  ?  When  shall 
these  shadows  vanish,  and  we  see  the  meaning  of  things  ? 
To  all  these  thoughts  passing  to  and  fro  in  every  breast 
the  Lord  Jesus  presents  Himself,  and  says,  "  I  that  speak 
unto  thee  am  He."  Look  at  Him.  Rest  in  Him.  Let 
every  thought  and  every  affection  culminate  there.  Jesus 
stands  at  the  door  of  every  sensible  heart  as  its  longings 
and  sighings  after  some  fancied  good  escape  it,  and  says, 
"  I  that  speak  unto  thee  am  He."  On  the  threshold  of  every 
earthly  hope,  every  ardent  desire,  every  anticipated  plea- 
sure, every  bright  expectation,  every  earnest  craving  of 
the  heart,  He  stands  and  whispers  as  of  old,  "  I  that  speak 
unto  thee  am  He." 

Yes,  poor  longing  one,  Jesus  is  near  thee,  and  always 
whispering  these  words  !  He  is  nearer  to  thee  than  thou 
hast  the  slightest  conception  of,  nearer  than  thy  nearest 
desire,  or  hope,  or  sigh,  and  always  with  the  same  words, 
"  I  that  speak  unto  thee  am  He."  He  speaks  in  every 
hour  and  in  every  duty,  in  every  trial  and  in  every  bless- 
ing, in  every  joy  and  in  every  sorrow,  in  the  bright  sun- 
shine of  prosperity  and  at  the  graveside  of  every  hope,  in 
the  stillness  of  the  dying  chamber,  or  amid  shadows  of  the 
dark  valley :  "  I  that  speak  unto  thee  am  He." 

There  are  no  accidents  in  God's  dealings.  Arrangement 
and  order  characterize  each  one.  Just  at  this  juncture, 
when  the  full  blaze  of  the  Sun  of  righteousness  had  risen 
on  this  woman's  soul,  we  are  told  "  upon  this  came  His 
disciples,  and  marveled  that  He  talked  with  the  woman." 
Had  they  come  earlier,  they  might  have  interrupted  the 
work.  But  they  came  just  at  the  right  moment,  when  the 
work  was  finished.     Adaptation  as  to  time  is  the  mark  of 


144  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

God's  dealings.  It  may  be  said  of  all  of  them  as  it  was 
here,  that  just  at  the  right  moment,  neither  earlier  nor 
later,  "  Upon  this  came  His  disciples."  But  never  till 
God's  work  is  done.  Never  till  His  purpose  has  been 
fulfilled.  To  us  it  may  appear  an  interruption  or  hindrance. 
To  us  it  may  appear  to  be  cut  short  when  only  in  the  bud. 
But  not  so  to  Him.  All  is  wisely  ordered,  and  His  glory 
fulfilling  where  we  least  see  it. 

Not  only  so,  but  there  is  so  much  in  all  God's  dealings 
we  cannot  understand,  so  much  we  have  to  leave  unex- 
plained. So  it  was  here.  They  "  marveled  that  He 
talked  with  the  woman;  yet  no  man  said,  What  seekest 
thou  ?  or,  Why  talkest  thou  with  her  ?"  They  could  not 
explain  it.  They  were  content  to  leave  it  unexplained. 
And  so  must  we.  In  every  path  there  are  thousands  of 
things  we  have  to  leave  unexplained  in  God's  dealings. 
There  they  are.  We  see  them ;  but  we  have  to  trust. 
Yet,  behind  this  vail  we  may  be  quite  sure  there  are  none 
but  gracious  designs,  as  surely  as  there  was  behind  the 
vail  of  ignorance  here.  They  could  not  see,  they  did  not 
know,  what  great  things  had  been  going  on  at  the  well  be- 
tween the  Saviour  and  this  woman.  So  with  us.  Where 
we  cannot  see,  God  asks  us  to  trust ;  and  depend  upon  it, 
it  is  because  some  gracious  purpose  is  behind  it  all,  some- 
thing beyond  our  highest  thoughts,  something  that 
glorifies  Him,  and  will,  when  we  can  bear  to  see  it,  be  a 
blessing  to  us.  We  shall  praise  Him  then  that  we  did  not 
see  it  at  the  time.  The  sight  would  have  injured  us. 
"  What  I  do  thou  knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know 
hereafter,"  is  legibly  written  on  all  God's  mysterious 
dealings. 

"  The  woman  then  left  her  water-pot,  and  went  her  way 


LESSONS    FROM    THE    WELL    OF   SYCHAR.       145 

into  the  city,  and  said  to  the  man,  Come,  see  a  man,  which 
told  me  all  things  that  ever  I  did ;  is  not  this  the  Christ  ?" 
The  earthly  water  and  water-pot  and  well,  where  were 
they  now  ?  Pushed  out  of  view.  The  living  water,  this 
now  filled  every  thought  of  her  mind,  every  affection  of  the 
heart.  Not  that  she  was  not  to  care  for  earthly  duties. 
No ;  but  to  put  them  in  the  right  place.  The  first  thing  in 
her  thoughts  when  she  came  to  the  well  was  the  earthly 
water.  Now  she  feels  there  is  something  which  must  come 
before  that,  however  valuable  it  may  be.  Now  the  first 
thing  is  to  go  into  the  city,  and  say,  "  Come,  see  a  man." 
This  done,  she  can  come  back  to  the  well,  and  get  the 
water  to  supply  her  household.  Before,  it  was  the  creature's 
wants  first,  and  then  Christ.  Now  it  is  Christ  first,  and 
then  the  creature's  wants.  Things  are  now  in  their  right 
place.  The  Fall  has  misplaced  everything.  In  Christ 
everything  is  in  order. 

"  Come,  see  a  man,  which  told  me  all  things  that  ever  I 
did."  She  felt  she  was  known,  and  yet  loved.  Though 
known  so  thoroughly,  she  was  yet  drawn  to  Him.  Oh  the 
blessing  of  being  known !  More  than  half  of  our  troubles 
and  mistakes  come  from  being  only  half  known.  "  I  am 
not  understood,"  is  the  common  complaint.  What  a  com- 
fort to  have  to  do  with  One  who  fully  knows  us  !  Such  a 
one  is  Jesus.  And  herein  we  rejoice.  It  is  that  which 
draws  us  to  Him  when  all  else  are  wounding,  or  deceiving, 
or  misunderstanding  us.  Oh  to  look  up  into  His  face,  and 
be  able  to  say  with  one  of  old,  '  Lord,  Thou  knowest  all 
things.' 

And  what  was  the  burden  of  her  message  ?  what  the 
secret  of  her  success  in  drawing  men  to  Christ  ?  It  was, 
"  Is  not  this  the  Christ  ?"  Yes,  let  Christ  be  prominent 
10 


146    COUNSELS   FROM   THE   WORDS   OF   TRUTH. 

in  every  message,  and  success  must  be,  whether  the  ambas- 
sador be  a  feeble  woman,  or  an  ordained  clergyman.  But 
if  Christ  be  not  in  His  right  place,  there  can  be,  there  will 
be,  no  blessing  from  God.  Reader,  and  especially  Christian 
reader,  mark  it  well.  Let  Christ  be  prominent  in  your 
message  and  conspicuous  in  your  character,  and  God  will 
make  you  a  blessing  wherever  you  go. 

Eeader,  you  may  have  heard  often  from  the  lips  of  others, 
as  the  Samaritans  heard  it  from  the  lips  of  this  woman,  about 
Christ.  But  have  you,  like  them,  come  to  Jesus,  and 
proved  Him  for  yourself  ?  Are  you  able  to  say  to  the 
ambassador  of  Christ  what  they  said  to  her  ?  "  Now  we 
believe,  not  because  of  thy  saying ;  for  we  have  heard  Him 
ourselves,  and  know  that  this  is  indeed  the  Christ,  the 
Saviour  of  the  world."  Are  you,  reader,  able  to  say  this  f 
Oh,  to  hear  of  Christ  and  to  know  much  of  Christ,  is  a  very 
different  thing  from  being  able  to  say  from  the  heart,  "  We 
have  heard  Him  ourselves,  and  know  that  this  is  indeed 
the  Christ."  Best  satisfied  with  nothing  short  of  this, 
reader.  Best  not  till  you  can  say,  "  This  is  indeed  the 
ChriBt." 


Oft,  e'en  with  those  I  love  the  best, 
A  cold  constraint  will  lock  the  breast, 

And  freeze  each  glowing  word ; 
But,  Lord,  how  unrestrained  and  free 
May  flow  our  thoughts  and  words  to  Thee, 

Opening  their  inmost  hoard  ! 

I  own  earth's  friendships  pure  and  sweet, 
Yet  often  find  them  vain  to  meet 

My  spirit's  deeper  tone ; 
Depressed  I  seek  my  friend,  and  find 
Glad  thoughts  absorb  his  eager  mind, 

And  speak  not  out  my  own. 


LESSONS    FROM    THE    WELL    OF   SYCHAR.       147 

Not  so  with  Thee,  O  Friend  Divine ; 
My  interests  are  always  Thine, 

And  claim  Thy  kindest  heed ; 
Patient  where  human  love  must  fail, 
Nor  wearying  of  the  oft-told  tale 

Of  sorrow,  weakness,  need. 

Oft  when  the  sense  of  failure  hung 
Sad  on  my  heart,  too  sorely  wrung 

By  shame,  regret,  and  fear, 
Thou'st  raised  my  fainting  spirit  up, 
Placed  in  my  hand  Thy  love's  full  cup, 

And  whispered  words  of  cheer. 

Would  I  not  gladly  deeper  go 
Down  paths  of  weakness  and  of  woe, 

Such  fellowship  to  share  ? 
Sweet  friendship  of  my  Saviour  God ! 
Beneath  it  smiles  the  weary  road, 

With  heaven's  own  beauty  fair. 


148  COUNSELS  FBOM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 


BREAD   CAST  ON  THE  WATERS. 

ECCLESIASTES  xi,  1 — 2. 

Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters  ;  for  thou  shalt  find  it  after  many  days. 
Give  a  portion  to  seven,  and  also  to  eight ;  for  thou  knowest  not  what  evil 
shall  be  upon  the  earth. 

The  figure  on  which  the  passage  we  have  chosen  for  con- 
sideration is  founded,  is  striking  and  instructive.  In  many 
parts  of  India  and  Africa,  and  especially  on  the  Nile,  when 
the  rivers  overflow  their  banks,  the  natives  may  be  seen 
scattering  the  rice-seed  or  the  corn  on  the  surface  of  the 
waters.  When  the  waters  subside,  the  seed  thus  scattered 
becomes  deposited  in  the  earth,  and  from  it  springs  a  fruit- 
ful harvest.  Great  care  has,  of  course,  to  be  taken  by  the 
agriculturist  that  he  do  not  miss  the  opportunity.  If  the 
seed  be  not  sown  at  the  time  of  these  overflowings,  the  op- 
portunity is  lost,  and  with  it  the  harvest.  Such,  we 
believe,  are  the  facts  of  the  case,  and  to  which  allusion  is 
made  in  this  passage.  Bearing  this  in  mind,  we  shall  bo 
better  able  to  understand  the  instructive  truths  it  contains. 
The  present  time  is  especially  one  of  seed-sowing. 
Everything  done  or  said  here  is  a  seed.  Indeed,  our 
whole  life  stands  in  relation  to  the  future  as  a  seed.  There 
is  not  a  word  we  utter  but  has  an  influence.     There  is  nc-t 


BREAD   CAST   ON   THE   WATERS.  149 

an  act,  however  trifling,  that  does  not  leave  behind  some 
impression,  however  small.  Nay,  our  very  looks  and  tones 
of  voice  carry  an  influence  with  them  for  good  or  for  evil. 
However  obscure  we  may  be,  or  however  known,  we  each 
possess  in  a  greater  or  less  degree  this  tremendous  power. 
We  unhappily,  through  an  habitual  disregard  of  little 
things,  come  to  regard  only  what  we  call  great  matters  as 
possessing  this  influence,  forgetting  that  little  and  great 
are  only  terms  and  measures  of  our  own  contracted  horizon. 
Placed  side  by  side  with  eternity,  viewed  in  the  light  of 
God,  there  is  nothing  little.  Everything  is  great.  The 
grain  of  sand  assumes  an  Alpine  importance ;  and  so  we 
shall  each  of  us  one  day  find  it.  The  pebble  cast  into  the 
deep  raises  a  wave  which  communicates  itself  far  out  of 
sight.  Alas  for  us  if  we  circumscribe  its  influence  to  the 
few  rising  circles  that  come  under  our  own  observation ! 
This  will  be  indeed  to  live  under  the  influence  of  "  things 
seen  and  temporal."  No;  let  us  not  deceive  ourselves. 
The  smallest  things  here  are  seeds  cast  into  the  ground; 
the  thoughts  and  words  and  deeds,  the  looks  and  tones  of 
voice,  the  "  glass  of  cold  water  "  given  to  a  thirsty  disciple, 
all  are  seeds  sown.  The  great  harvest  is  before  us.  Each 
one  in  the  wonder-working  way  of  God  shall  be  resusci- 
tated. Each  one  shall  start  from  the  grave  of  oblivion, 
and  standing  before  conscience,  shall  recognize  its  image, 
and  shall  proclaim  in  unmistakable  accents,  "  Thou  art  the 
man."  Each  one  shall  fill  up  the  measure  of  that  cup  now 
placed  by  the  Almighty  in  the  hands  of  every  living  soul. 
Memory  shall  be  the  light  that  shall  irradiate  the  dark 
chamber  of  oblivion,  and  bring  forth  its  witnesses.  And 
each  one  starting  into  existence  shall  whisper  in  the  ear  of 
that  soul,  "  Son,  remember."     It  is  this  that  makes  life  so 


150  COUNSELS  FHOM  THE  WOEDS  OF  TRUTH. 

solemn.  It  is  this  that  invests  it  with  an  importance 
thought  has  never  conceived  and  tongue  never  uttered. 
Yes,  the  harvest  is  before  us ;  and  woe  to  that  soul  in  that 
day  of  reckoning,  to  whose  account  the  blood  of  Christ  has 
not  been  laid ! 

We  often  see,  even  here,  something  of  religious  retribu- 
tion. We  often  see  how  conscience  can  drag  its  buried 
pictures  to  light,  and  scare  the  soul  with  shadows  of  the 
past.  "  This  is  John  the  Baptist ;  he  is  risen  from  the 
dead,"  said  the  guilty  Herod,  and  trembling  like  a  leaf  in 
the  hurricane,  he  presents  us  with  a  faint  picture  of  what 
that  day  of  reckoning  will  be  to  each  one.  Annihilation 
would  indeed  be  a  priceless  boon.  But  annihilation  is  the 
lie  of  the  atheist.  It  is  scientifically  impossible.  Yes, 
even  here,  at  some  bend  or  turn  in  man's  path,  conscience 
drags  to  light  its  victim,  and  standing  before  the  soul, 
strikes  terror  through  every  fiber  of  the  frame  by  its  voice 
of  thunder,  "  Thou  art  the  man  I"  What  shall  the  reality 
be,  if  the  shadow  is  so  dark?  What  shall  the  morning  of 
the  resurrection  be,  if  the  land  where  all  is  forgeti'ulness 
and  oblivion  be  so  startling  and  terrible  ?  We  who  know 
these  things  may  well  "persuade  men."  God  of  love,  look 
down  in  mercy  on  every  unconverted  reader  of  these  lines ! 

But  it  is  not  to  this  passive  influence  to  which  this 
passage  exactly  refers,  though  it  is  included  in  it.  It  is  to 
the  direct  and  conscious  service  of  the  Christian  laborer. 
It  is  to  the  one  who  sees  the  waves  of  opportunity  rising 
before  him,  and  making  use  of  the  opportunity,  scatters 
the  living  seed  in  sure  and  certain  hope  of  a  glorious 
harvest.  It  is  addressed  to  one  who  is  working  for  the 
harvest,  to  one  who  knows  that  he  will  not  at  present  reap, 
but  who  nevertheless  sows.     It  is  pre-eminently  the  action 


BREAD  CAST  ON  THE  WATERS.        151 

of  faith.  He  is  one  who  looks  not  at  the  "  seen  and 
temporal,"  bat  at  the  "  unseen  and  eternal/'  knowing  that 
"  in  due  season  he  shall  reap,"  if  he  slack  not  his  hand 
now..  From  the  very  figure  under  which  the  passage  is 
brought  before  us,  it  is  a  thing  altogether  in  the  domain 
of  faith. 

Let  us  first  look  at  the  figure  of  "  bread  "  under  two  dif- 
ferent aspects,  spiritual  and  natural.  Let  us  look  at  it  first 
as  the  emblem  of  Christ.  We  are  authorized  to  do  this  by 
our  Lord's  own  words  :  "  I  am  the  living;  bread  which  came 

o 

down  from  heaven  ;  if  any  man  eat  of  this  bread,  he  shall 
live  forever."  Again  lie  says,  in  allusion  to  Himself, 
"  Except  a  corn  of  wheat  fall  into  the  ground  and  die,  it 
abideth  alone;  but  if  it  die,  it  bringeth  forth  much  fruit." 
In  accordance  with  this  latter  statement  of  our  Lord,  we 
may  remark  that  it  contains  one  of  the  most  scientific 
truths  in  nature.  Everything  around  teaches  us  that 
death  is  the  bosom  out  of  which  all  life  springs.  The 
vegetable  world  in  every  form  conveys  the  same  lesson. 
All  the  glory  of  Christ's  work  springs  out  of  His  death ; 
and  we  ourselves  never  spiritually  live  except  as  we  are 
dying  to  self.  Nay,  more ;  all  our  services  have  spiritual 
life  in  them  just  in  proportion  as  we  throw  death  into 
them.  In  every  form  we  are  taught  the  same  striking 
lesson.  The  seed  thrown  into  the  ground  cannot  live  till 
it  dies.  When  it  reaches  the  final  point  of  dissolution,  it 
gives  forth  the  germ  of  a  new  life. 

But  to  return  to  the  beautiful  figure  of  "bread,"  as  the 
emblem  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Mark  the  process 
through  which  it  passes  before  it  becomes  food.  It  is  first 
a  seed.  That  seed  grows.  There  is  first  the  blade,  then 
the  ear,  then  the  full  corn  in  the  ear.     Then  there  is  the 


152  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

ripening.  Then  it  is  cut  down  and  ground  into  flour. 
Then  it  is  subjected  to  the  fiery  process  of  the  oven.  All 
this  it  has  to  pass  through  before  it  can  become  food  for 
the  body.  So  with  the  spiritual  "  corn  of  wheat,"  Christ 
Jesus.  He  grew  up  the  " tender  plant."  He  was  cut 
down  in  God's  harvest  time.  "  He  was  bruised  for  our 
iniquities."  He  passed  through  the  furnace  of  God's  wrath 
on  the  cross.  All  this  He  had  to  pass  through  before  He 
could  become  the  food  of  His  people.  And  what  is  the 
command  now  to  every  Christian  man  ?  u  Cast  thy  bread 
on  the  waters."  Make  Christ  known.  Spread  abroad  the 
knowledge  of  His  saving  name.  Tell  of  His  salvation  to 
the  lost  and  guilty.  Tell  of  the  saving  virtues  of  His  pre- 
cious blood.  Tell  of  His  love  and  grace  and  mercy  to  the 
needy  ones  around.  Go,  speak  of  Jesus.  Have  something 
to  say  for  Him  in  every  conversation.  Write  some  word 
about  Him  in  every  letter.  Miss  no  opportunity.  See  how 
the  waves  are  rolling  in  at  your  very  feet  as  you  stand  on 
the  shore  of  this  heaving,  restless  world.  Speak,  work, 
live  for  Jesus  wherever  you  go.  Cast  some  seed  on  every 
wave  that  rolls  in.  Be  earnest  and  wakeful  and  watchful 
and  vigilant  for  Him.  Let  not  the  wave  roll  back  into 
the  great  ocean  of  neglected  opportunities,  and  you  have 
to  look  back,  and  say,  "  The  harvest  is  past,  the  summer 
is  ended,"  and  no  seel  has  been  sown,  no  fruit  gathered, 
for  Jesus. 

But  mark  the  important  little  word,  "  thy  bread."  Ah, 
reader,  is  this  Christ  thine  ?  This  is  the  question.  You 
cannot  give  to  others  what  you  have  not  yourself.  You 
cannot  cast  the  living  bread  on  the  waters  if  your  own 
soul  has  never  yet  fed  on  it.  You  may  do  a  great  deal 
and  yet  do  nothing  for  Christ.  You  may  be  religious,  very 


BREAD   CAST   ON   THE    WATERS.  lbd 

religious,  conscientiously  religious,  reader,  and  yet  be  a 
Christless  soul.  Again,  I  ask  earnestly,  solemnly,  Is  this 
Christ  thine  f 

Let  us  now  look  at  the  figure  in  the  natural  view. 
"  Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters."  "  My  time  is  my 
bread,"  has  become  a  proverb,  and  illustrates  the  view  we 
would  now  take  of  this  word.  Our  time,  our  wealth,  our 
talents,  our  influence,  these  are  the  "  bread  "  in  this  point 
of  view.  Cast  these  upon  the  waves  of  opportunity,  as 
they  roll  in  upon  your  path.  Gather  up  the  leisure 
moments,  and  devote  them  to  something  that  will  tell  on 
eternity,  something  that  will  leave  "  footprints  on  the 
sands  of  time."  Look  around,  and  see  if  you  cannot  by 
your  presence,  or  by  way  of  encouragement,  influence  some 
cause  of  God  that  is  perhaps  languishing.  Look  around, 
and  sse  if  some  of  that  wealth  you  are  accumulating  year 
by  year  cannot  be  spared  for  God's  cause.  Look  and  see 
if  there  be  not  some  gratification  you  could  well  deny  your- 
self to  do  good  to  some  hungry,  perishing  soul.  Look  and 
see  if  some  of  that  time  wasted  in  idleness,  or  excess  of 
sleep,  cannot  be  redeemed  for  God's  glory.  Look  and  see 
if  you  cannot  lend  a  book  to  some  unconverted  friend,  or 
write  some  word  for  Christ,  or  brace  yourself  up  to  speak 
faithfully  to  some  one  living  in  sin,  or  some  Christian 
living  inconsistently,  at  the  risk  of  being  called  an  enthu- 
siast or  bigot,  a  fanatic  or  fool.  Do  not  clutch  your  money 
as  if  it  were  your  own.  It  is  not  yours.  It  is  God's  gift, 
for  the  use  of  which  you  will  have  shortly  to  give  an  ac- 
count ;  and  yet  under  the  garb  of  a  professing  Christian 
you  are  hoarding  it  up  in  thousands  for  yourself  or  your 
family,  and  your  narrow-hearted  soul  cannot  afford  even  a 
tenth  for  God's  glory.     Look  around,  and  see  the  luxuries 


154  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

of  your  household ;  see  your  retinue  of  servants;  see  your 
costliness  of  dress  and  furniture,  and  various  residences, 
and  yet,  what  are  you  doing  for  Christ  f  Is  He  not  in 
prison,  and  you,  though  bearing  His  name,  never  once 
visit  Him  ?  Is  He  not  naked  or  sick,  or  His  name  cast 
out  as  evil,  and  yet  you,  proud  Levite,  pass  by  on  the 
other  side,  clutching  your  gold  in  one  hand,  and  your  life- 
less, soulless,  godless  religion  in  the  other  ?  Oh  be 
honest,  and  cast  away  the  hypocritical  mask  you  are 
wearing.  Give  to  the  winds  your  hollow,  worthless  re- 
ligion, and  be  a  worldling  out-and-out.  If  you  bear  that 
holy  name,  bear  it  honestly.  Be  no  hypocrite.  Be  no  wolf 
in  sheep's  clothing,  doling  out  a  few  shillings  at  a  time  for 
God's  cause,  from  the  mass  of  gold  you  are  hoarding  up. 
Up  and  use  your  opportunities  for  God  more  than  you  have 
done.  Eedeem  the  time.  "  Cast  thy  bread  upon  the 
waters."  Not  the  lame,  the  halt,  the  maimed,  for  God's 
service,  but  "the  small  cattle  of  thy  burnt  offerings." 
Cast  not  your  husks  upon  the  waters,  but  your  bread,  that 
which  is  food  to  yourself,  that  which  you  feel  will  be  a 
sacrifice  to  you  to  part  with. 

And  make  haste.  Time's  sun  is  fast  setting.  The  Lord 
is  at  hand.  You  have,  at  most,  only  a  few  more  days  to 
work  for  Him.  Already  his  chariot  wheels  may  be  heard 
in  the  distance.  Up  and  seize  the  fleeting  moments,  and 
the  long  neglected  opportunities.  The  Lord  is  at  hand. 
What  are  you  doing  for  Christ  ?  How  will  you  meet  Him? 
What  account  will  you  be  able  to  give  of  "  your  Lord's 
goods  ?"  What  will  be  the  reckoning  with  you  as  His 
steward  ?     See  to  it,  reader  ;  see  to  it ! 

But  where  are  you  to  cast  the  bread  ?  "  Upon  the 
waters."     If  you  walk  or  act  by  sight  instead  of  by  faith, 


BREAD    CAST    ON   THE    WATERS.  155 

you  will  never  cast  it  there,  for  it  will  be  washed  away, 
and  the  bread  will  be  lost.  Yet  God  commands  us  to  throw 
it  on  the  waters.  How  foolish  to  human  reason  !  Yes;  the 
lessons  of  faith  always  are  to  the  natural  man.  God  com- 
mands us  to  cast  it  there,  where  of  all  other  places  it  seems 
certain  to  be  lost.  "  Command  the  children  of  Israel  that 
they  go  forward."  What !  into  the  sea  ?  Yes.  Leave 
that  to  God.  When  you  obey,  He  will  make  a  path  through 
that  sea.  "  Take  ye  away  the  stone."  What  use  in  doing 
that  ?  What  a  foolish  command  !  "  By  this  time  he 
stinketh  ;  for  he  hath  been  dead  four  days  already."  Mark 
God's  rebuke.  "  Said  I  not  unto  thee,  that  if  thou  wouldst 
believe,  thou  shouldst  see  the  glory  of  God  ?"  What  have 
you  to  do  with  that  f  "  Said  I  not  unto  thee  ?"  "  Is  not 
my  word  sufficient  ?"  Ye3,  "  cast  thy  bread  upon  the 
waters,"  the  place  of  death.  Be  it  so.  Let  us  obey.  God's 
word  is  sufficient. 

But  the  child  of  God  knows  something  the  carnal  mind 
does  not  know.  While  he  casts  the  bread,  to  all  appearance, 
on  the  waters,  he  knows  that  out  of  sight,  down  under- 
neath the  surface,  there  is  solid  ground.  Yes ;  he  knows 
this,  though  he  does  not  see  it.  "  Xow  faith  is  the  sub- 
stance of  things  hoped  for,  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen." 
The  word  "substance,"  here,  is  derived  from  two  expres- 
sive Latin  words,  sub  and  stans.  They  denote  that  there 
is  something  standing  under,  that  under  the  surface  there 
is  solid  ground.  The  Christian  seed-sower  knows  that 
"  his  labor  in  the  Lord  is  not  in  vain."  He  casts  his  bread 
on  the  "waters,"  but  he  knows  it  will  sink  down  into 
God's  appointed  place,  and  reappear  at  the  great  harvest. 
He  can  say,  "  I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  per- 


156  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WOEDS  OF  TRUTH. 

suaded  that  He  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  com- 
mitted unto  Him  against  that  day." 

Mark,  next,  the  certain  promise,  "Thou  shalt  find  it." 
It  is  an  individual  promise,  and  one  of  certain  fulfillment. 
Nothing  done  for  Christ  is  lost.  Each  seed,  so  trifling  in 
appearance,  shall  yet  reappear.  Not  singly,  as  when  sown, 
but  with  a  full  ear  of  wheat,  to  be  gathered  into  the  garner. 
And  though  it  may  not  be  till  "  after  many  days,"  yet  it 
shall  bring  forth  its  harvest.  We  are  placed  in  a  waiting 
posture.  We  "  know  not  the  day  nor  the  hour  when  the 
Son  of  man  cometh."  Faith  is  to  be  exercised  ;  we  are  to 
work  and  watch,  to  wait  and  pray.  "  What  I  say  unto 
you  I  say  unto  all,  Watch."  "  Blessed  is  that  servant, 
whom  his  Lord  when  he  cometh  shall  find  watching." 

Let  us  now  notice  the  second  verse  of  the  passage  under 
consideration.  "  Give  a  portion  to  seven,  and  also  to  eight; 
for  thou  knowest  not  what  evil  shall  be  upon  the  earth." 
Mark,  reader,  the  anticipation  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  with 
regard  to  what  is  coming  on  the  earth.  It  is  "  evil,"  not 
good.  It  is  everything  waxing  worse  and  worse,  not  grow- 
ing better.  It  is  "  as  it  was  in  the  days  of  Noah;"  "  As 
it  was  in  the  days  of  Lot,  so  shall  it  be  at  the  coming  of 
the  Son  of  man."  The  Spirit  of  God  has  but  one  testimony 
throughout  the  Word,  whether  He  speaks  by  the  mouth 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  or  by  that  of  Solomon.  It  is  "  evil  " 
that  is  coming,  though  we  know  not  its  extent  or  its 
character.  It  is  a  dark  picture  the  Spirit  of  God  has  drawn, 
everywhere  in  the  word  of  God,  with  regard  to  this  world's 
future.  The  bright  side,  however,  is  beyond,  "  the  morn- 
ing without  clouds." 

And  what  will  be  the  true  wisdom  of  the  child  of  God  ? 
To  prepare  for  this  coming  "  evil."     How  ?     "  Give  a  por- 


BEEAD   CAST   ON   THE   WATERS.  157 

tion  to  seven,  and  also  to  eight."  Seven,  among  the  Jews, 
was  a  perfect  number.  It  was  God's  due,  His  just  and 
righteous  demand.  The  passage  taken  simply,  means, 
"Do  all  to  God's  glory."  •  Give  God  what  is  due  to  Him, 
every  affection  and  every  desire,  every  motive  and  every 
aim,  every  gift  and  every  talent.  Come  not  short  of  God's 
demands.  Be  up  to  the  mark  in  everything  with  regard 
to  Him.  Not  only  so,  but  "  give  a  portion  to  eight.1'  See 
that  you  fall  not  short  on  this  side  of  God's  demand.  Let 
it  rather  be  given  on  the  other  side.  Let  it  be  hearty 
service,  a  joyful  sacrifice,  an  uncompromising  devotion,  a 
life  wholly  given  to  His  glory.  Not  a  stinted  one,  barely 
coming  up  to  His  standard,  but  a  going  beyond  the  letter  of 
the  command,  in  a  full,  hearty,  spiritual  surrender.  Better 
be  on  the  "  eight  "  side,  than  under  the  "  seven."  Let  it 
be  "  good  measure,  pressed  down  and  running  over,"  so 
that  all  may  see  whose  you  are  and  whom  you  serve.  This 
will  be  the  only  way  to  meet  the  coming  evil,  and  the  most 
blessed  way  to  meet  the  Lord. 

Eeader,  be  wholly  the  Lord's.  Beware  of  a  divided 
heart.  Let  your  eye  and  aim  be  single.  Have  nothing 
to  do  with  the  trimming  policy  of  professing  Christians. 
Be  faithful  to  your  absent  Lord,  as  you  would  desire  to 
meet  His  smile  when  He  comes.  Be  faithful,  yea,  "  faith- 
ful unto  death." 


Sow  with  a  generous  hand ; 

Pause  not  for  toil  or  pain ; 
"Weary  not  through  the  heat  of  summer, 

Weary  not  through  the  cold  spring  rain ; 
But  wait  till  the  autumn  comes, 

For  the  sheaves  of  golden  grain. 


158  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

Scatter  the  seed,  and  fear  not ; 

A  table  will  be  spread  ; 
What  matter  if  you  are  too  weary 

To  eat  your  hard-earned  bread  ? 
Sow  while  the  earth  is  broken, 

For  the  hungry  must  be  fed. 

Sow ;  while  the  seeds  are  lying 

In  the  warm  earth's  bosom  deep, 
And  your  warm  tears  fall  upon  it, 

They  will  stir  in  their  quiet  sleep, 
And  the  green  blades  rise  the  quicker, 

Perchance,  for  the  tears  you  weep. 

Then  sow ;  for  the  hours  are  fleeting, 

And  the  seed  must  fall  to-day ; 
And  care  not  what  hands  shall  reap  it, 

Or  if  you  shall  have  passed  away 
Before  the  waving  corn-fields 

Shall  gladden  the  sunny  day. 

Sow ;  and  look  onward,  upward, 

Where  the  starry  light  appears ; 
Where,  in  spite  of  the  coward's  doubting, 

Or  your  own  heart's  trembling  fears, 
You  shall  reap  in  joy  the  harvest 

You  have  sown  to-day  in  tears. 

Adelaide  Anne  Procter. 


CONTRASTS.  159 


CONTRASTS. 
Luke  vi,  46 — 49. 


And  why  call  ye  me  Lord,  Lord,  and  do  not  the  things  which  I  say? 
Whosoever  cometh  to  me,  and  heareth  my  sayings,  and  doeth  them,  I  will 
show  you  to  whom  he  is  like.  He  is  like  a  man  which  built  an  house,  and 
digged  deep,  and  laid  the  foundation  on  a  rock  ;  and  when  the  flood  arose, 
the  stream  beat  vehemently  upon  that  house,  and  could  not  shake  it;  for 
it  was  founded  upon  a  rock.  But  he  that  heareth  and  doeth  not,  is  like  a 
man  that  without  a  foundation  built  an  house  upon  the  earth,  against 
which  the  stream  did  beat  vehemently,  and  immediately  it  fell,  and  the 
ruin  of  that  house  was  great. 

The  day  in  which  we  live  presents  many  solemn  reflections 
to  the  Christian  mind.  It  has  many  startling  features  with 
which  no  previous  chapter  in  the  history  of  our  world  can 
furnish  a  parallel.  The  reserve  of  former  years  is  giving 
way  to  open  utterances.  Wickedness,  always  wicked,  has 
never  presented  itself  in  such  bold,  dark  colors.  Whether 
socially,  morally,  spiritually,  or  nationally  viewed,  the 
lines  of  things  are  becoming  more  distinct  and  vivid. 
Events  which  formerly  took  years  to  bring  to  pass  are 
accomplished  now  in  a  few  days.  Electricity  and  steam 
have  given  their  coloring  to  everything ;  and  the  work  of 
a  life  of  half  a  century  is  now  pressed  into  a  few  years. 
This  fever  or  delirium  has  its  baneful  effects.  The  calm, 
happy,  spiritual  tone  of  the  soul  is  injured  by  it.     The 


100  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WO  EDS  OF  TRUTH. 

hidden  life  of  God  is  drawn  under  the  influence  of  the  fitful 
fever  outside,  and  bids  fair  to  reduce  many  a  living  soul  to 
the  dead  level  of  formal  religion. 

One  of  the  most  dangerous  aspects  of  the  time  is  a  wide- 
spread counterfeit  religion.  Men  resting  satisfied  with  the 
belief  that  the  root  of  the  matter,  as  they  call  it,  is  in  the 
soul,  inquire  no  further.  Such  a  soul  can  differ  nothing 
outwardly  from  a  mere  professor.  The  result  is,  that  see- 
ing no  practical  difference  between  the  converted  man  and 
the  one  who  is  only  a  Christian  in  name,  the  latter  gets  the  full 
benefit  of  being  a  child  of  God.  Thus  those  who  have  only 
the  root  of  the  matter  in  them,  are,  by  their  conduct,  help- 
ing on  the  delusion  under  which  thousands  are  resting. 
The  real  and  unreal,  the  spurious  and  the  genuine,  have 
so  closely  approximated,  that  the  one  is  mistaken  for  the 
other.  It  was  not  always  so.  In  the  early  days  of  the 
Church  the  lines  of  difference  were  distinct  and  clear. 
Persecution  scattered  the  chaff,  and  left  the  wheat  plainly 
visible  to  the  world.  Persecution  was  the  thing  that  kept 
the  Church  alive.  Persecution  is  the  only  thing  that  will 
do  it  now.     And  depend  upon  it  the  hour  is  at  hand. 

Let  us  contemplate  the  distinctive  features  of  the  two 
characters  in  the  remarkable  words  of  our  blessed  Lord  we 
have  selected  for  consideration.  Unconverted  but  profes- 
sing Christian  reader,  pause,  and  mark  the  lines  of  dif- 
ference. Make  no  mistake  here.  Thy  soul  hangs  in  the 
balance.  It  may  be  that  for  years  thou  hast  been  sailing 
under  false  colors,  and  yet  in  ignorance  of  it.  May  God 
break  thy  slumbers  ! 

There  are  points  of  resemblance  between  these  two 
characters,  corresponding  exactly  with  two  great  classes  of 
Christians  around  us.     They  both  build  houses,  and  the 


CONTRASTS.  161 

storm  comas  to  both  alike,  to  test  the  character  of  their 
respective  buildings.  This  house  ia  the  dwelling-place  in 
which  each  one  is  found  till  that  storm  comas.  The  house, 
the  visible  to  all  around,  is  the  common  Christianity  each 
one  professes.  Each  building  ha3  a  heavenly  appearance. 
It  rises  upwards,  and  to  the  end  points  in  a  heavenly 
direction.  To  the  observer  one  building  is  quite  as  good 
as  the  other.  There  is  no  difference.  The  real  difference 
between  the  two  is  in  that  which  is  not  seen. 

The  spiritual  application  of  all  this  is  clear  and  simple. 
The  real  Christian  and  mere  professor  has  each  his  house, 
his  Christianity  in  form.  The  form  of  godliness  charac- 
terizes both.  They  both  of  them  point  upwards.  The 
form  of  the  one  is  as  goo:l  as  that  of  the  other.  The 
natural  eye  sees  no  difference.  The  one  who  "  walks  by 
sight,  and  not  by  faith,"  regards  the  house  of  the  fool  as  being 
quite  as  good  as  that  of  the  wise  man.  And  so  it  is.  The 
real  difference  is  in  that  which  the  eye  sees  not,  in  things 
"  unseen  and  eternal,"  in  the  hidden  foundation.  The  mind 
cannot  penetrate  beneath  the  surface  to  look  at  realities, 
because  it  has  not  the  heaven-bestowed  power,  the  light  of 
God's  Holy  Spirit. 

But  there  is  one  striking  difference  between  the  two, 
given  to  us  in  the  words  of  our  Lord  Himself  at  the  very 
commencement.  This  difference  is  vital.  It  explains  the 
issue.  It  is  the  key  to  the  solution.  In  speaking  of  the 
wise  man,  He  says,  "  Whosoever  cometh  to  me,  and  heareth 
my  sayings,  and  doeth  them."  These  are  the  three  Btag  s 
of  real  Christianity.  The  opened  ear,  and  the  power  to  live 
to  God,  resulting  from  coming  first  of  all  to  Christ.  In  the 
case  of  the  foolish  man,  the  first  of  these  is  omitted.  The 
man  "  hears,"  it  is  true,  but  it  is  the  hearing  without 
11 


162  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

power.  It  is  the  hearing  of  the  understanding,  of  the  in- 
tellect, without  the  power  of  the  Spirit  of  God  to  enable 
him  to  act;  for  he  "  doeth  not.1'  And  no  wonder.  He 
comes  not  to  Christ.  The  Spirit  of  God  is  given  to  none 
but  those  who  come  first  to  Him.  That  soul  to  whom  the 
Spirit  of  God  gives  power  to  "  do,"  He  always  first  leads 
to  Christ.  The  great  lesson  taught  us  in  this  narrative  is 
the  truth  conveyed  all  through  God's  word,  that  where  the 
ear  has  been  opened  by  the  Spirit  of  God  to  hear,  there 
will  be  the  doing,  the  "  fruits  "  of  Christianity ;  and  that 
where  there  are  not  these  fruits,  the  soul  has  never  really 
come  to  Christ,  and  consequently  the  ear  has  never  been 
opened.  It  is  a  work  with  which  the  Spirit  of  God  has 
had  nothing  to  do. 

Bat  now  let  us  mark  the  leadings  of  the  Spirit  of  God, 
where  He  really  begins  His  work,  and  carries  it  on,  con- 
trasted with  the  operations  of  the  natural  heart. 

The  first  evidence  of  His  work  is  to  direct  the  soul  to 
hidden  things,  to  "things  unseen  and  eternal."  The  very 
first  thought  of  the  wise  man  is  the  hidden  Rock.  Before 
he  begins  to  build,  or  has  a  thought  about  building,  his 
attention  is  directed  to  this  hidden  Bock.  This  guides 
every  future  act  of  his.  For  this  he  gets  his  tools.  For 
this  he  digs  and  labors.  For  this  he  works  on  untiringly. 
He  works  not  for  salvation,  but  from  it.  He  works  not  to 
gain  Christ,  but  because  having  Christ,  he  can  labor  hard. 
What  suggests  the  thought  of  building  ?  The  hidden 
Bock.  What  urges  him  onward  ?  The  hidden  Bock. 
What  makes  him  toil  in  all  weathers,  going  deeper  and 
deeper  down  ?  The  hidden  Bock.  What  goal  is  he  aiming 
at,  never  resting  satisfied  till  he  reaches  it?  The  hidden 
Bock.  This,  and  only  this,  makes  him  spend  his  money,  get 


CONTRASTS.  163 

tools,  labor  night  and  day,  braving  all  weathers  and  all 
dangers,  counting  all  drudgery  delightful.  Well  might 
one  of  old  say,  "  that  I  may  know  Him."  "  This  one 
thing  I  do,  forgetting  the  things  that  are  behind,  and  reach- 
ing forth  to  the  things  that  are  before,  I  press  toward  the 
mark."  "  The  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us."  "  Whom 
have  I  in  heaven  but  Thee  ?  and  there  is  none  upon  earth 
that  I  desire  in  comparison  of  Thee." 

Yes,  faith  urges  love  onward.  He  knows  the  Rock  is 
there  before  he  begins.  Love  makes  him  toil  to  reach  it. 
These  are  the  great  spiritual  principles  in  the  narrative. 
It  is  simply  faith  and  love  working  together. 

But  mark  another  truth.  His  very  first  act  in  getting 
towards  this  Rock  is  to  dig.  He  goes  down;  and  just 
in  proportion  as  he  goes  down  he  gets  nearer  to  that  Rock. 
It  is  the  law  of  nature,  providence,  and  grace,  that  we 
rise  by  descending.  We  get  nearer  to  Christ  by  going 
down.  Every  step  downward  is  a  step  nearer  to  the  Rock. 
0  Christian,  remember  this !  The  more  deeply  you  de- 
scend, the  higher  you  rise.  "  He  that  humbleth  himself 
shall  be  exalted."  May  your  prayer,  even  in  the  midst  of 
your  praise,  ever  be, 

"  Rock  of  ages,  cleft  for  me, 
Let  me  hide  myself  in  Thee." 

So  this  wise  man  goes  down,  and  continues  to  go  down. 
He  throws  aside  all  the  sand,  all  the  superficial  coverings  in 
his  way.  He  is  no  superficial  man.  His  religion  is  deep. 
It  never  rests  till  it  rests  on  the  Rock.  That  is  indeed 
his  resting-place.  There,  too,  he  builds.  And  from  that 
Rock  he  rises  heavenward.  It  is  no  rising  in  appearance, 
like  the  other  man.  It  is  a  rising  from  a  solid  foundation. 
It  is  a  superstructure  based  on  "  things  unseen  and  eter- 


164     COUNSELS    FROM    THE   WOR1S   OF   TRUTH. 

nal,"  of  which  Jesus  Christ  is  "  the  chief  corner-stone." 
What  can  shake  that  house  ?  Not  all  the  storms  of  earth, 
however  vehemently  they  may  beat.  Let  the  flood  do  its 
utmost.  Let  the  surges  rise.  Let  the  billows  roll.  What 
can  they  do  ?  The  house  falls  not ;  nay,  it  is  not  even 
"  shaken."  Why  ?  it  is  founded  on  a  Rock,  the  Rock  of 
ages. 

Now  mark  the  contrast.  See  the  acting  of  the  foolish 
man.  He  builds  too.  But  what  of  the  Rock  ?  Oh,  he 
cares  not  for  that !  He  builds  on  the  sand.  He  knows 
not  of  the  Rock,  or  if  he  knows  he  cares  not.  Sand  will 
do  for  him  just  as  well.  He  is  taken  by  appearances. 
He  cares  not  for  depth.  He  cares  not  for  hidden  things. 
What  men  think,  is  everything  with  him.  What  the  eye 
sees,  is  all  that  concerns  him.  To  pass  well  in  society,  to 
have  a  fair  name,  to  wear  the  garment  of  religion,  to  have 
all  the  outside  commendable,  this  is  all  he  cares  about; 
this  is  all  the  world  cares  about.  What  cares  he  about 
the  Rock  ?  "  His  religion  is  as  good  as  yours ;  why  should 
he  not  be  saved  as  well  as  you  ?  If  he  is  sincere,  it  is 
enough.  What  a  bigot  you  are  to  condemn  everybody 
who  does  not  think  with  you  !  What  uncharitableness  ! 
Go,  and  keep  your  narrow-hearted  religion  to  yourself. 
We  are  all  going  to  heaven."  People  see  the  houses. 
They  see  no  difference.  Judging  from  appearances,  one  is 
as  good  as  the  other.  They  know  not  the  Bock.  They 
know  not,,  and  they  care  not.  Their  religion  is  like  this 
man's,  all  on  the  surface. 

And  when  the  storm  comes,  where  is  the  Christian's 
confidence?  In  his  house?  Nay,  it  is  in  the  Bock.  It  is 
not  in  his  religion,  be  what  it  may.  It  is  in  something 
underneath  it  all.     It  is  simply  in  Jesus,  only  Jesus. 


.     CONTRASTS.  165 

But  where  is  the  foolish  man's  confidence  ?  Gone.  It 
is  not  in  the  Rock,  for  he  has  none.  It  is  not  in  his  house, 
for  he  knows  right  well  it  was  only  built  and  kept  up  for 
appearance.  Where  is  his  confidence  ?  It  is  gone.  He 
has  none,  no  Rock,  no  house,  no  shelter  from  the  storm. 
Exposed  he  stands,  with  the  howling  winds  around  him, 
the  wild  waves  beating  furiously,  and  the  billows  rolling 
over  his  head.  Where  is  his  shelter  ?  Carried  by  the 
destructive  current  to  endless  destruction,  not  a  vestige 
left  behind  !  He  laughed  at  the  fool  so  long  building  the 
ark !  He  despised  the  honest  and  sincere,  but  weak  en- 
thusiast digging  in  the  earth !  He  flattered  himself  all 
was  right,  and  that  in  the  end  he  should  be  no  worse  than 
others.  So  he  lived,  and  so  the  Lord  found  him  when  He 
came. 

And,  reader,  mark  the  Lord's  closing  words  in  each 
case.  They  indicate  something  beyond  what  the  words 
themselves  express.  "  They  could  not  shake  it,  for  it  was 
founded  upon  a  rock."  Not  only  was  there  no  fall,  but  no 
shaking.  It  rose  triumphantly  before  the  blast,  and 
laughed  at  all  its  fury.  Mark  the  other.  The  very  first 
breath  of  God's  voice  scattered  it  to  the  four  winds  of 
heaven,  "  immediately  it  fell."  But  more  than  that,  as  if 
telling  us  of  something  immeasurably  beyond,  "  the  ruin 
of  that  house  was  great." 

0  God,  forbid  that  I  should  hide  from  view  the  eternity 
of  misery  with  which  they  will  be  enveloped  who  now 
live  for  appearances  instead  of  building  on  the  Hock  I  I 
know  not,  oh  I  know  not,  what  sounds  of  woe  will  ring  in 
the  ears  of  the  lost,  and  this  eternally  !  Oh,  I  cannot  con- 
ceive the  multiplicity,  the  intensity,  the  variety  of  the  tor- 
ments of  the  self-destroyed  !     Only  this  I  know,  that  the 


166  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

very  character  of  God  demands  it.  This  I  know,  that  the 
justice,  the  holiness,  the  majesty  of  God  can  demand 
nothing  less.  The  intelligence  with  which  He  has  en- 
dowed me  convinces  me  that  it  mnst  be  so.  The  exercise 
of  my  reason  in  the  works  of  His  own  creation  leads  to 
the  same  conclusion.  "  Who  shall  dwell  with  the  devour- 
ing fire  ?  who  shall  dwell  with  everlasting  burnings  ?" 

Sinner,  be  warned !  The  time  is  near.  It  is  a  portal 
once  passed  the  step  can  never  be  retraced.  It  is  a  thresh- 
hold  over  which  is  written  in  words  of  light  that  all  may 
read,  "  Forever  !" 

Professing  Christian,  with  a  name  to  live,  pause  and 
tremble !  Thou  hast  been,  and  thy  secret  heart  tells  thee 
so,  all  along  living  for  appearances.  Think  of  what  that 
day  will  be  to  thee !  Think  of  thy  religious  house,  thy 
moral  house,  thy  fair  and  beautiful  house  being  scat- 
tered like  dust,  by  the  very  first  breath  of  God,  to  the  four 
winds  of  heaven,  and  thou  a  naked  soul  in  the  presence  of 
thy  Judge !  Oh  fling  to  the  winds  thy  hollow,  false  pro- 
fession !  Be  a  Christian,  or,  like  an  honest  man,  renounce 
the  name  forever.  With  such  a  profession,  and  yet  with- 
out the  reality,  thy  hypocrisy  is  of  the  basest  kind.  Thou 
art  a  hypocrite  whose  hypocrisy  is  loathsome.  But  what 
must  it  be  in  the  sight  of  a  holy  God  !  Oh  cast  it  away  ! 
Far  better  the  atheist's  name  or  the  infidel's  badge.  This 
at  least  is  honest ;  but  thine  is  the  blackest  hypocrisy  in 
the  sight  of  God  and  man.  May  God  in  mercy  awake 
thee  from  thy  dreaming  and  slumber,  and  bring  thee  to 
His   feet  in  dust  and  ashes  ! 

"  To  you  who  are  troubled  rest  with  us,  when  the  Lord 
Jesus  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven  with  His  mighty 
angels,  in  flaming  fire  taking  vengeance  on  them  that  know 


CONTRASTS.  167 

not  Grod,  and  that  obey  not  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ;  who  shall  be  punished  with  everlasting  destruc- 
tion from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  from  the  glory  of 
His  power." 

Rise ;  for  the  day  is  passing, 

And  you  lie  dreaming  on  ; 
The  others  have  buckled  their  armor, 

And  forth  to  the  fight  are  gone. 
A  place  in  the  ranks  awaits  you, 

Each  man  has  some  part  to  play  ; 
he  past  and  the  future  are  nothing 

In  the  face  of  the  stern  to-day. 

Rise  from  your  dream  of  the  future, 

Of  gaining  some  hard-fought  field, 
Of  storming  some  airy  fortress, 

Or  bidding  some  giant  yield. 
Your  future  has  deeds  of  glory, 

Of  honour  (God  grant  it  may !) 
But  your  arm  will  never  be  stronger, 

Or  the  need  so  great  as  to-day. 

Rise  ;  if  the  past  detains  you, 

Her  sunshine  and  storms  forget ; 
No  chains  so  unworthy  to  hold  you 

As  those  of  a  vain  regret. 
Sad  or  bright,  she  is  lifeless  ever, 

Cast  her  phantom  arms  away, 
Nor  look  back,  save  to  learn  the  lesson 

Of  a  nobler  strife  to-day. 

Rise  ;  for  the  day  is  passing, 

The  sound  that  you  scarcely  hear 
Is  the  enemy  marching  to  battle  ; 

Arise,  for  the  foe  is  here ! 
Stay  not  to  sharpen  your  weapons, 

Or  the  hour  will  strike  at  last, 
When,  from  dreams  of  a  coming  battle, 

You  may  wake  to  find  it  past. 

Adelaide  Anne  Procter. 


168     COUNSELS   FROM   THE   WORDS   OF   TRUTH. 


SIMEON    IN    THE    TEMPLE. 
Luke  ii,  25 — 35. 

And  behold,  there  was  a  man  in  Jerusalem,  whose  name  was  Simeon  ;  and 
the  same  man  was  just  and  devout,  waiting  for  the  consolation  of  Israel; 
and  the  Holy  Ghost  was  upon  him.  And  it  was  revealed  unto  him  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  that  he  should  not  see  death  before  he  had  seen  the  Lord's 
Christ.  And  he  came  by  the  Spirit  into  the  temple  :  and  when  the  parents 
brought  in  the  child  Jesus,  to  do  for  him  after  the  custom  of  the  law, 
then  took  he  him  up  in  his  arms,  and  blessed  God,  and  said,  Lord,  now 
lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  according  to  thy  word :  for  mine 
eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation,  which  thou  hast  prepared  before  the  face  of 
all  people ;  a  light  to  lighten  the  Gentiles,  and  the  glory  of  thy  people  Israel. 
And  Joseph  and  his  mother  marveled  at  those  things  which  were  spoken  of 
him.  And  Simeon  blessed  them,  and  said  unto  Mary  his  mother,  Behold, 
this  child  is  set  for  the  fall  and  rising  again  of  many  in  Israel :  and  for  a 
sign  which  shall  be  spoken  against  (yea,  a  sword  shall  pierce  through 
thy  own  soul  also) ;  that  the  thoughts  of  many  hearts  may  be  revealed. 

The  narratives  of  the  New  Testament  are  often  con- 
densed pictures  of  the  whole  system  of  true  religion. 
They  are  so  full,  so  comprehensive,  so  unique,  that  in  one 
narrative  is  sometimes  comprised  the  sum  and  substance 
of  our  spiritual  life  on  earth.  The  teaching  in  the  epis- 
tles of  the  New  Testament  is  but  these  narratives  ex- 
panded, the  filling  up  in  detail  of  a  narrative  comprised 
within  a  few  verses.  Take,  for  instance,  the  narrative  of  the 
birth  of  Christ  related  in  this  chapter.     From  the  seventh 


SIMEON    IN   THE    TEMTLE.  169 

verse  to  the  twentieth,  we  have  one  of  these  comprehensive 
outlines,  embracing  in  order  the  following  truths:  the 
humility  and  rejection  of  Christ;  the  revelations  from 
God  made  only  to  the  wakeful,  watchful,  vigilant  soul; 
heaven's  glory  surrounding  the  name  of  Jesus ;  unpre- 
paredness  of  the  heart  to  receive  God's  messages,  and  the 
need  of  the  Spirit's  previous  preparation ;  the  means  the 
Spirit  uses  to  prepare  that  heart,  the  mention  of  Jesus ; 
the  glad  message  of  the  gospel,  first,  to  those  who  hear  it, 
and  secondly,  a  prophetic  announcement  of  its  blessing  to 
all  the  earth;  a,  full  gospel,  "Saviour"  from,  sin,  "Christ" 
the  sent  One  of  God,  and  "  Lord"  reminding  us  that  we 
are  " not  our  own"  but  His;  the  mention  of  Jesus,  the 
cause  of  heaven's  joy  as  well  as  the  joy  of  the  Church  on 
earth ;  obedience  to  Heaven's  announcement,  and  the  ex- 
perience of  joy  in  consequence,  shown  in  the  shepherds  going 
to  see  for  themselves ;  the  "  haste,"  redeeming  the  time, 
not  allowing  a  moment  to  be  lost;  and  the  publishing 
abroad  the  glad  news  they  had  seen  and  heard,  as  true 
ambassadors  of  Christ.  And,  we  ask,  what  more  do  the 
Epistles  of  the  New  Testament  teach  us  ?  Are  not  these 
very  truths  the  outline  filled  up  in  detail  in  the  Epistles  ? 
The  Bible  is  a  wondrous  book.  Its  adaptations,  its  coinci- 
dences, its  harmonies,  its  relations  between  one  passage 
and  another,  its  differences  in  describing  the  same  event, 
are  so  marvelous,  so  striking,  so  instructive,  so  manifestly 
the  finger  of  God,  that  after  a  diligent  search  of  three- 
score years  and  ten,  we  come  to  feel  that  we  have  not 
touched  even  the  surface  of  its  "  height  and  depth,  and 
length  and  breadth  !" 

Even  the  very  arrangement  of  the  books  of  the  Bible 
shows  us  how  wonderfully  our  compilers  were  acting  under 


170    COUNSELS   FROM   THE   WORDS   OF   TRUTH. 

the  guidance  of  the  Spirit  of  Grod !  Take  as  an  instance 
the  Book  of  Ecclesiastes  being  placed  immediately  before 
the  Song  of  Solomon.  Why  was  this  ?  In  the  former 
we  have  the  experience  of  a  soul  seeking  satisfaction  from 
the  world,  from  something  "  under  the  sun."  This  phrase 
is  mentioned  nearly  twenty  times  in  that  book.  The  man 
never  rises  higher  than  "  under  the  sun."  What  is  the 
result?  All  "under  the  sun"  is  under  the  god  of  this 
world.  It  cannot  satisfy  man's  heart.  The  heart  is  too 
large  for  anything  this  world  can  give.  It  turns  away 
from  all,  with  the  bitter  cry,  "  All  is  vanity  and  vexation 
of  spirit :  "  "  Man  dieth  as  the  beast ;  "  "I  hated  labor 
and  all  that  is  under  the  sun."  Mark  the  Song  of  Solo- 
mon. The  soul  there  rises  above  the  sun.  The  portion  is 
then  too  large  for  the  heart.  Its  joy  is  full,  even  to  over- 
flowing. But  is  not  the  experience  of  the  Ecclesiastes  first 
in  order  with  all  of  us  ?  Do  we  not  try  the  world  first  ? 
and  not  till  we  are  driven  do  we  rise  from  "  under  the 
sun  "  to  things  above  the  sun ;  from  this  poor  unsatisfying 
world  to  Christ.  Is  not  the  very  arrangement  of  these 
books  the  order  of  the  soul  f  Is  it  not  reflected  in  the  very 
order  of  our  Lord's  own  words  ?  "  Whosoever  drinketh  of 
this  water  shall  thirst  again,  but  whosoever  drinketh  of 
the  water  that  I  shall  give  him  shall  never  thirst."  Yes, 
the  very  arrangement  of  its  books,  the  very  order  of  its 
words,  whether  spoken  by  Solomon  or  by  the  Lord  Jesus, 
are  Divine,  and  are  the  very  arrangement  and  order  in  the 
history  of  the  soul. 

Before  passing  to  the  subject  we  have  chosen  for  con- 
sideration, let  us  notice  one  or  two  remarkable  coincidences 
in  God's  word  to  which  we  have  referred,  not  for  curiosity 
or  speculation,  but  simply  to  confirm  our  observation  as  to 


SIMEON   IN    THE   TEMPLE.  171 

the  wondrous  fullness  of  the  Book  of  God.  A  modern  wri- 
ter, in  one  of  the  most  instructive  and  beautiful  works  of 
recent  times,  remarks,  that  "  the  circle  is  the  archetype  of 
all  forms,  physically  as  well  as  mathematically.  It  is  the 
most  complete  figure,  the  most  stable  under  violence,  the 
most  economical  of  material ;  its  proportions  are  the  most 
perfect  and  harmonious.  The  universe  has  apparently 
been  framed  according  to  this  type.  Nature  attains  her 
ends,  not  in  a  series  of  straight  lines,  but  in  a  series  of  cir- 
cles ;  not  in  the  most  direct,  but  in  the  most  roundabout 
way.  All  her  objects,  organic  or  inorganic,  have  a  tendency 
to  assume  the  circular  form,  and  in  the  attainment  of  this 
form  consists  their  highest  perfection."*  He  proceeds  to 
give  instances  of  this  in  every  variety  of  form,  from  the 
vegetable  world,  from  the  mineral  world,  from  the  seasons 
of  the  year,  from  the  heavenly  bodies,  from  the  structure 
of  the  human  frame,  and  its  revolutions  and  vicissitudes. 
The  word  of  God  itself  forms  a  remarkable  instance  in 
"  the  close  similarity  between  the  closing  chapter  of  "the 
Book  of  Revelation  and  the  commencement  of  the  Book  of 
Genesis.  The  objects  that  disappear  from  view  after  the 
fall  are  once  more  ushered  upon  the  scene."  The  Spirit  of 
God  starts  from  one  point  in  that  circle,  and  comes  round 
to  that  point  again.  Ths  Book  of  Genesis  begins  with 
paradise,  the  tree  of  life,  the  flowing  river,  man  walking 
with  God.  The  circle  has  been  traversed,  and  these  re- 
appear at  the  close  of  the  Revelation,  only  with  increased 
and  intensified  glory,  no  longer  a  solitary  pair,  but  "  a 
multitude  which  no  man  can  number."     We  have  another 


*  "  Bible  Teachings  in  Nature,"  by  Rev.  Hugh  Macmillan.    London  : 
Macraillan  &  Co. 


172  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

coincidence  connected  with  this.  Adam,  placed  in  a  gar- 
den, brings  himself  and  his  posterity,  by  sin,  into  a  moral 
and  spiritual  wilderness.  Christ,  the  second  Adam,  comes 
down,  takes  his  place  in  the  wilderness,  and  leads  man  up 
into  a  garden,  as  we  behold  him  in  the  close  of  the  Book 
of  Revelation.  These  are  striking  examples  of  "  unde- 
signed coincidences." 

Mark  another.  Christ  was  pre-eminently  a  practical 
man.  He  endorsed  His  precepts  with  his  own  example. 
In  John  xvi,  33,  He  encourages  His  people  and  comforts 
them.  He  rests  not  with  mere  words,  however.  In  John 
xvii,  He  confirms  His  words  by  praying  for  them.  JSTor 
does  He  rest  with  even  this.  In  John  xviii,  1,  He  passes 
from  encouragement  and  prayer  to  suffer  for  them.  He 
stands  between  them  and  the  foe,  giving  up,  finally,  His 
life  for  them.  Mark  a  similar  instance  in  Matthew  ix,  36- 
38.  The  first  thing  we  observe  is  the  "  compassion"  of 
His  heart  for  the  multitudes.  That  compassion  rests  not 
in  mere  feeling,  as,  alas  !  it  so  often  does  with  us.  It 
issues  in  exhorting  His  disciples  to  pray  for  laborers.  It 
did  not  end  with  mere  exhortation.  In  Matthew  x,  1,  He 
calls  His  disciples  to  Him,  and  sends  them  to  do  the  work 
for  which  he  had  exhorted  them  to  pray.  Nor  did  it  end 
here.  In  Matthew  xi,  1,  He  sets  the  seal  to  his  com- 
passion, His  exhortation,  and  His  work  with  them  by  giv- 
ing Himself  to  the  work 

Again  ;  the  Lord  Jesus  often  accompanied  his  word  by 
some  expressive  act  corresponding  with  that  word.  In  John 
xii,  35,  36,  He  warns  the  Jews  to  "walk  in  the  light," 
lest  that  light  should  be  withdrawn  from  them.  This 
solemn  warning  is  accompanied  by  a  corresponding  and  ex- 
pressive act ;    "  These  things  spake  Jesus,  and  departed, 


SIMEON   IN   THE   TEMPLE.  173 

and  did  hide  Himself  from  them,'1  In  John  viii,  6,  is 
another  instance.  The  scribes  and  Pharisees  bring  the 
writing  of  the  law  to  condemn  the  sinner.  He  writes  on 
the  ground  with  His  finger,  to  show  that  He  was  the  wri- 
ter of  that  law.  In  Luke  xxiv,  38,  is  a  similarly  expres- 
sive act,  "  He  made  as  though  He  would  have  gone  far- 
ther." The  word  had  been  spoken  ;  and  where  that  is  the 
case,  it  ought  to  be  followed  by  exercise  of  heart.  So  it 
was  here.  They  were  constrained,  and  prayed  Him  to 
abide  with  them.     This  was  the  fruit  of  the  word. 

Another  remarkable  lesson  in  the  narratives  of  our  Lord 
is  one  we  should  all  do  well  to  lay  to  heart.  Before  He 
rebuked  or  reproved,  He  always  strove  to  win  the  heart. 
In  John  xxi,  12,  is  an  instance.  He  was  about  to  reprove 
Peter  for  his  third  denial  of  Him,  but  He  first  says,  "Come 
and  dine."  Thus  preparing  the  way  for  the  reproof  by 
disarming  the  mind  of  any  unkindness  in  doing  so.  In 
Luke  viii,  2-1,  25,  He  rebukes  "  the  winds  and  the  waves," 
before  reproving  the  disciples  for  their  little  faith.  In 
John  iv,  before  He  convicts  the  woman  of  sin,  He  speaks 
of  happy  things  to  her  soul,  the  living  water,  His  willing- 
ness to  give  it,  and  His  readiness  to  receive  a  kindness  at 
her  hands,  even  a  drink  of  water.  Thus  the  way  was 
prepared. 

Again ;  we  often  perceive  in  one  chapter,  in  its  several 
narratives,  the  leading  features,  expressed  in  order ,  of  the 
present  dispensation.  Mark  this  in  Luke  xix.  From  the 
first  verse  to  the  tenth,  we  have  God's  grace  shown  to  the 
lost  From  the  twelfth  verse  to  the  twenty-sixth,  we  have 
that  which  follows  on  the  receiving  of  grace,  responsibility. 
In  the  twenty-seventh  verse,  we  have  the  next  stage,  judg- 


174     COUNSELS    FROM    THE    WORDS    OF   TRUTH. 

ment.     From  the  twenty-ninth  verse  to  the  fortieth,  we 
have  the  last  stage,  glory. 

I  have  trespassed  thus  far  on  the  reader's  attention  with 
these  few  undesigned  coincidences  which  have  come  under 
my  own  observation,  to  confirm  my  previous  statement. 
Not  merely  for  this,  however,  but  to  stimulate  to  prayer- 
ful meditation  and  deeper  research  into  God's  word.  Let 
me  now  return  to  the  subject  I  have  selected  for  consider- 
ation, in  which  we  shall  find  a  further  confirmation  of  these 
remarks. 

One  feature  in  particular  to  which  we  would  call  the 
reader's  attention  is  a  most  important  one,  and  presents 
itself  at  the  very  outset  of  this  narrative,  that  where  man 
is  brought  into  living  association  with  the  Lord  Jesus, 
there  the  Spirit  of  God  is  prominently  introduced  in  con- 
nection with  every  step  of  his  way.  Mark  it  here.  Si- 
meon "  waited  for  the  consolation  of  Israel,  for  '  the  Holy 
Ghost  was  upon  him.''  "  He  was  to  see  Christ,  and  through 
Christ  to  have  his  soul  so  filled  with  joy  as  to  desire  to 
depart.  But  who  is  the  author  of  all  this  ?  "  It  was  re- 
vealed to  him  by  the  Holy  Ghost."  Again;  Simeon  is  led 
into  the  temple,  into  that  place  where  God  reveals  Him- 
self, into  God's  presence.  But  who  leads  him  ?  nature  9 
accident?  No  :  "  he  came  by  the  Spirit  into  the  temple." 

Oh  how  clearly  God,  in  his  word,  sets  honor  upon  the 
Holy  Spirit  and  upon  His  work  !  And  yet  see  how  sadly 
little  He  is  honored  in  the  general  preaching  and  re- 
ligious literature  of  the  day  !  After  hearing  some  of  the 
otherwise  most  excellent  preaching,  and  reading  the  most 
excellent  works,  we  might  almost  be  inclined  to  think 
that  the  preachers  ami  writers  "  had  never  so  much  as 
heard  whether  there  was  any  Holy  Ghost !  "  Man's  efforts, 


SIMEON   IN   THE    TEMPLE.  175 

man's  preaching,  man's  writing,  man  is  made  so  much  of, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost  so  little  !  No  wonder  if  God  doth 
"  blow  upon  it,"  and  it  comes  to  nought !  This  is  a  day 
when  man  is  made  much  of,  and  God  very  little.  This  is 
a  day  in  which  the  human  intellect  is  all  but  deified,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost  degraded.  Reader,  depend  upon  it,  if  you 
want  to  be  blessed,  if  you  want  God  to  honor  your  work, 
you  must  honor  God's  Holy  Spirit.  Depend  upon  it,  if  you 
make  not  very  much  of  Him,  God  will  make  very  little  of 
you  and  your  work. 

Mark  the  three  features  of  this  man,  under  the  dominion 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  "just,"  "  devo at,"  and  "  waiting"  for 
Christ.  And  God  would  have  us  clearly  understand  the 
source  of  all  this ;  because  "  the  Holy  Ghost  was  upon  him." 
Mark  it,  reader,  well,  how  everything  good  in  this  man's 
character  is  traced  to  one  cause,  and  only  one,  because 
"  the  Holy  Ghost  was  upon  him."  Oh,  solemn  rebuke  to 
the  professing  Church  in  this  day  of  declension  and  apos- 
tasy ! 

And  when  the  Spirit  of  God  teaches  man,  what  a  con- 
trast to  the  religious  teaching  of  the  day !  In  nothing  is  it 
seen  more  remarkably  than  in  connection  with  death. 
Books  are  written,  and  sermons  are  preached,  the  burden 
of  both  being  "  preparation  for  death."  This  is  all  the 
blindness  and  ignorance  of  poor  fallen  nature.  The  Spirit 
of  God  does  not  set  death  before  us,  but  Christ.  Death  is 
"  the  last  enemy."  And,  strange  to  say,  the  enemy  is  con- 
tinually put  before  the  sinner,  instead  of  Him  who  has 
gotten  the  victory  over  the  enemy  !  Mark  it  here,  how 
different  is  the  Spirit's  teaching.  He  reveals  that  Christ 
shall  be  seen  before  death.  Death  is  eclipsed  by  Him  who 
shin3s  gloriously  between,  the  Lord  Jesus.     The   Spirit's 


176  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

preparation  for  death  is  to  put  One  between  for  the  eye  to 
rest  upon,  till  we  stand  in  the  presence  of  God ;  and  that 
One  is  Jesus,  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life.  Mark  this 
further  in  the  narrative  of  the  transfiguration.  What 
saith  our  Lord  ?  "  There  be  some  standing  here  that  shall 
not  taste  of  death  till  they  see  the  Kingdom  of  God."  He 
placed  between  His  people  and  death  the  kingdom,  the 
glory,  the  gladdening  beams  of  the  resurrection  morning  ! 
Yes,  whether  in  the  day  of  life  or  in  the  hour  of  death, 
the  Spirit  of  God  sets  before  us  only  one  object,  Christ. 

And,  reader,  learn  from  this  narrative  of  Simeon  what 
the  Spirit  would  teach  you,  that  you  must  see  Christ  before 
death.  Oh  to  see  Christ  for  the  first  time  after  death,  this 
indeed  will  be  terrible  !  The  soul  must  see  Christ  on  this 
side,  or  the  meeting  will  be  intolerable.  Those  who  see 
Him  not  here,  can  only  see  Him  in  judgment.  Reader, 
have  you  yet  seen  Him  ?  I  warn  you,  "  it  had  been  good 
for  you  that  you  had  never  been  born,"  to  see  Him  for  the 
first  time  after  you  have  passed  the  agonies  and  throes  of 
a  dying  hour ;  or  worse  than  all,  after  the  conscience  has 
been  lulled  into  a  false  security,  and  has  passed  into  eternity 
with  a  lie  in  its  right  hand  !  The  Lord's  Supper  can  do  you 
no  good.  A  clergyman's  prayers  can  do  you  no  good.  It 
is  all  mockery  if  your  own  heart  has  not  seen  Christ,  to 
believe  in  Him,  to  cling  to  Him,  and  to  lie  down  to  die 
only  in  Him  ! 

And  where  does  the  Spirit  of  God  always  lead  the  soul 
after  He  shows  him  Christ  ?  Just  where  He  led  Simeon, 
"  into  the  temple,"  into  the  presence  of  God.  "  My  soul 
thirsteth  for  Thee ;  my  flesh  longeth  for  Thee,  in  a  dry 
and  thirsty  land,  where  no  water  is."  "  My  soul  thirsteth 
for  God,  for  the  living  God  ;   when  shall  I  come  and  appear 


SIMEON    IN    THE    TEMPLE.  177 

before  God  ?  "  "  One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord, 
that  will  I  seek  after,  that  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord  all  the  days  of  my  life.'  "  Master,  it  is  good  for  us 
to  be  here  :  let  us  build  three  tabernacles."  "  I  have  a  de- 
sire to  depart,  and  to  be  with  Christ ;   which  is  far  better." 

And  when  the  Spirit  of  God  leads  a  man,  Christ  always 
meets  that  man.  "  Thou  meetest  him  that  rejoiceth  ;  those 
that  remember  Thee  in  Thy  ways."  There  is  no  accident 
in  that  man's  life.  "All  things  work  together  for  good 
to  them  that  love  God."  And  the  Spirit  of  God  so  leads 
them  that  every  promise  of  God  is  fulfilled  to  them.  So 
it  was  with  Simeon.  The  Spirit  led  him  just  where  the 
promise  of  God  would  be  fulfilled  to  him.  It  was  apparently 
accidental.  It  was  through  second  causes,  perhaps.  But 
accidents  and  second  causes  are  the  robe  in  which  God 
shrouds  Himself.  He  puts  on  these,  and  through  them 
fulfills  every  promise  to  His  child.  "  Every  one  shall  re- 
ceive of  Thy  words."  So  Simeon  found  it.  So  all  God's 
people  find  it.  And  there  is  not  one  of  God's  people  now 
in  glory,  nay,  is  there  one  on  earth,  but  can  endorse  the 
words  of  the  great  lawgiver  of  Israel,  "  Not  one  good 
thing  of  all  that  the  Lord  our  God  hath  promised  us 
hath  failed  ?  ' 

And  when  the  Spirit  of  God  leads  a  man,  it  is  always  to 
meet  Christ.  It  may  be  to  fulfill  His  promises  to  the  soul, 
either  temporally  or  spiritually,  but  it  is  to  see  Christ  in 
them.  Like  Simeon,  he  may  be  led  into  the  temple  to 
worship,  but  it  is  to  meet  Christ  there.  There  was  the 
sacrifice,  the  altar,  the  vail,  the  incense,  the  ark,  and  the 
mercy-seat,  but  oh,  what  were  all  these  in  comparison  of 
Christ  to  aged  Simeon  !  He  seems  to  say  to  us,  "  Painted 
baubles  all,  rites,  rituals,  ceremonies,  churches,  symbols, 
12 


178  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

creeds,  vestments,  incense,  stoles,  chasubles,  perish  all,  now 
that  I  see  Jesus  !  "  "  Lord,  now  lettest  Thou  Thy  servant 
depart  in  peace."  The  word  is  an  allusion  to  those  hold- 
ing offices  of  state.  They  cannot  leave  when  they  please. 
They  cannot  leave  till  they  get  the  discharge  from  their 
sovereign.  So  Simeon  seems  to  say,  "  Now,  Lord,  I  am 
ready.  I  am  satisfied.  Give  me  my  discharge.  I  can  go 
now  in  peace.  I  want  no  more.  Yet  I  would  not  have  my 
will,  but  Thine.  I  am  ready,  willing,  yea,  will  rejoice  ; 
but  my  discharge  is  in  Thy  hands.  I  leave  it  all  where  I 
have  left  all  other  things,  yes,  all  with  Jesus." 

I  left  it  all  with  Jesus 

Long  ago ; 
All  my  sin  I  brought  Him, 

And  my  woe. 
When  by  faith  I  saw  Him 

On  the  tree, 
Heard  His  small,  still  whisper, 

"Tis  for  thee;" 
From  my  heart  the  burden 

Rolled  away  ; 

Happy  day ! 

I  leave  it  all  with  Jesus, 

For  He  knows 
How  to  steal  the  bitter 

From  life's  woes  ; 
How  to  gild  the  tear-drop 

With  His  smile, 
Make  the  desert  garden 

Bloom  awhile : 
When  my  weakness  leaneth 

On  His  might, 

All  seems  light. 

I  leave  it  all  with  Jesus 

Day  by  day  ; 
Faith  can  firmly  trust  Him, 

Come  what  may. 


SIMEON    IN    THE    TEMPLE.  179 

Hope  has  dropped  her  anchor, 

Found  her  rest 
In  the  calm,  sure  haven 

Of  His  breast. 
Love  esteems  it  heaven 

To  abide 

At  His  side. 

Oh  !  leave  it  all  with  Jesus, 

Drooping  soul ! 
Tell  not  half  thy  story, 

But  the  whole. 
Worlds  on  worlds  are  hanging 

On  His  hand, 
Life  and  death  are  waiting 

His  command ; 
Yet,  His  tender  bosom 

Makes  thee  room  ; 

Oh,  come  home  !  * 

Yes,  with  Christ  pressed  to  the  heart,  there  must  be 
"  peace."  "We  can  then  gaze  on  the  swelling  flood,  and 
exclaim,  "Lord,  let  me  go."  But,  reader,  it  must  be  an 
individual  pressing  of  Christ  to  the  heart,  if  you  are  to 
have  peace.  None  without  this.  None,  reader,  none. 
The  river  of  death,  without  this,  will  indeed  look  dark  and 
terrible.  It  does  to  thee,  unconverted  one,  and  no  won- 
der !  Without  Christ,  except  in  form  and  profession,  and 
this  profession  only  adding  weight  to  thy  condemnation, 
how  could  it  be  otherwise  ?  Without  Christ  in  thy  heart, 
then  without  God,  without  peace,  without  hope,  without 
heaven  !  How  could  it  be  otherwise  ?  "It  were  good  for 
thee  hadst  thou  never  been  born."  Oh  glorious  thought, 
annihilation !  But  no ;  this  cannot  be.  Beason,  science, 
philosophy,  common  sense,  all  proclaim  with  united  voice, 
"  It  is  not  possible  /"     0  reader,  hast  thou  this  Christ  ? 

*  Ellen  W.  Willis. 


180  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

Art  thou,  like  aged  Simeon,  pressing  Him  to  thy  heart 
of  hearts  ?     What  is  Christ  to  thee  ?     What  ? 

And  mark  the  words,  "  according  to  Thy  word."  It 
shows  us  God's  faithfulness.  "  He  is  faithful  that  prom- 
ised." Every  child  of  God  will,  sooner  or  later,  feel 
that  in  everything  God  has  been  "  according  to  His 
word."  Yes,  heaven  and  earth  may  pass  away,  but  not 
one  promise  of  God  to  His  child  shall  ever  fail.  We 
shall  each  look  back  on  life's  journey,  and  exclaim,  "  He 
hath  done  all  things  well."  Each  wave  that  rises  on  the 
shore  of  everlasting  glory  shall  bear  with  it  the  songs  of 
countless  hosts,  "  He  hath  done  all  things  well."  And  as 
the  tide  rises  higher  and  higher,  each  heart  and  each  lip 
shall  take  up  the  song  from  a  multitude  which  no  man  can 
number,  and  repeat  the  echo,  "  He  hath  done  all  things 
well."  "  Blessing,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and  power,  be 
unto  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb 
forever  and  ever." 

And  notice  the  closing  words  of  this  inspired  hymn : 
"  Which  Thou  hast  prepared  before  the  face  of  all  people  ; 
a  light  to  lighten  the  Gentiles,  and  the  glory  of  Thy  people 
Israel."  Yes,  Christ  is  our  "  light"  and  our  "  glory."  To 
poor,  down-trodden,  outcast  Israel,  He  will  shortly  be  the 
"  glory"  too.  "  They  shall  look  upon  Him  whom  they 
have  pierced."  He  is,  indeed  and  in  truth,  the  "  King  of 
the  Jews."  They  who  now  call  Him  a  "  crucified  im- 
postor," shall  own  Him  as  their  Lord,  and  He  shall  be 
their  eternal  "  glory." 

And  let  us  remember  that  all  this  is  "prepared."  A 
Jt  prepared  "  Christ,  a  "  prepared  "  heaven.  We  are,  at 
present,  stones  in  the  quarry  of  Lebanon.  Noiselessly,  but 
surely,  the  Spirit  of  God  is  building  the  spiritual  temple, 


SIMEON    IN    THE    TEMTLE.  181 

taking  each  stone  out  of  the  dark  quarry,  and  hewing, 
shaping,  polishing  it  for  the  courts  of  the  Lord.  All  is 
"  preparation  "  work  now.  Oh  what  will  the  temple  be  ? 
What  will  the  meeting  be  ?  What  will  the  grand  reunion 
of  all  the  scattered  members  be  ?  What  the  melody  of  the 
golden  harps  ?  What  the  sweetness  of  the  new  song  ? 
What  the  jasper  walls,  and  the  golden  gates,  and  the 
glassy  sea,  and  the  genial  air,  and  the  songs  of  triumph  ? 
What  the  beauty,  the  joy,  what  the  glory  of  that  hour? 
Reader,  shall  you  be  there  ?  Oh  remember  the  word  of 
the  Lord,  "  There  shall  in  nowise  enter  into  it  anything 
that  defileth."  Have  you  still  the  defilement  of  unwashed 
guilt,  unforgiven  sin  ?  You  cannot  enter  there.  See  to 
it,  for  "  the  time  is  at  hand."  On  that  morning  of  joy  to 
some,  but  morning  of  terror  and  wrath  to  others,  one  cry 
will  ring  through  the  vaults  of  heaven,  and  be  heard  at 
the  remotest  bounds  of  earth,  "  He  that  is  unjust,  let  him 
be  unjust  still:  and  he  which  is  filthy,  let  him  be  filthy 
still :  and  he  that  is  righteous,  let  him  be  righteous  still : 
and  he  that  is  holy,  let  him  be  holy  still." 

Christian  reader,  remember  the  leadings  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  here,  "  waiting  "  for  Christ,  taking  of  the  things  of 
Christ,  and  revealing  them  to  the  soul,  being  "  led  "  into 
God's  presence,  pressing  Christ  to  the  heart,  and  rejoicing 
in  Him,  and  a  readiness  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ. 
May  this  be  thy  path  from  day  to  day,  thy  history  till 
the  Lord  comes.  May  He  find  thee  in  it.  The  hour  is  at 
hand.  Before  thine  eye  follows  these  lines,  He  may  be 
here.  Oh  may  the  deep,  unspoken  language  of  thy  heart 
be,  "  Come,  Lord  Jesus  !  "  See  that  the  eye  be  daily 
fixed  on  Jesus,  and  thy  heart  true  to  Him  !  See  that  in 
thy  conduct  from  day  to  day  there  is  a  silent  but  certain 


182  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

witness  for  God  !  See  that  whether  your  path  be  bright 
or  dark,  whether  one  of  sorrow  or  of  joy,  you  are  resting 
wholly  on  Jesus,  and  praise  Him  for  everything  that  makes 
you  lean  on  Him. 

My  God,  I  thank  Thee,  who  hast  made 

The  earth  so  bright, 
So  full  of  splendor  and  of  joy, 

Beauty,  and  light ; 
So  many  glorious  things  are  here, 

Noble  and  right ! 

I  thank  Thee,  too,  that  Thou  hast  made 

Joy  to  abound ; 
So  many  gentle  thoughts  and  deeds 

Circling  us  round, 
That  in  the  darkest  spot  of  earth 

Some  love  is  found. 

I  thank  Thee  more  that  all  our  joy 

Is  touched  with  pain ; 
That  shadows  fall  on  brightest  hours, 

That  thorns  remain, 
So  that  earth's  bliss  may  be  our  guide, 

And  not  our  chain. 

For  Thou,  who  knowest,  Lord,  how  soon 

Our  weak  heart  clings, 
Hast  given  us  joys,  tender  and  true, 

Yet  all  with  wings  ; 
So  that  we  see,  gleaming  on  high, 

Diviner  things ! 

I  thank  Thee,  Lord,  that  Thou  hast  kept 

The  best  in  store ; 
We  have  enough,  yet  not  too  much 

To  long  for  more, 
A  yearning  for  a  deeper  peace, 

Not  known  before. 

I  thank  Thee,  Lord,  that  here  our  souls, 

Though  amply  blest, 
Can  never  find,  although  they  seek, 

A  perfect  rest, 
Nor  ever  shall,  until  they  lean 

On  Jesus'  breast !  Adelaide  Anne  Procter. 


PARTING   WORDS.  183 


PARTING   WORDS 


John  xiv,  1 — 21. 

Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled  :  ye  believe  in  God,  believe  also  in  me. 
In  my  Father's  house  are  many  mansions  :  if  it  were  not  so,  I  would  have 
told  you.  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you.  And  if  I  go  and  prepare  a  place 
for  you,  I  will  come  again  and  receive  you  unto  myself;  that  where  I  am, 
there  ye  may  be  also.  And  whither  I  go  ye  know,  and  the  way  ye  know. 
Thomas  saith  unto  him,  Lord,  we  know  not  whither  thou  goest;  and  how 
can  we  know  the  way  ?  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  am  the  way,  and  the  truth, 
and  the  life :  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father,  but  by  me.  If  ye  had  known 
me,  ye  should  have  known  my  Father  also  :  and  from  henceforth  ye  know 
him,  and  have  seen  him.  Philip  saith  unto  him,  Lord,  shew  us  the  Father, 
and  it  sufficeth  us.  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  Have  I  been  so  long  time  with 
you,  and  yet  hast  thou  not  known  me,  Philip  ?  he  that  hath  seen  me,  hath 
seen  the  Father ;  and  how  sayest  thou  then,  Shew  us  the  Father?  Believest 
thou  not  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father  in  me  ?  the  words  that  I  speak 
unto  you,  I  speak  not  of  myself:  but  the  Father,  that  dwelleth  in  me,  he 
doeth  the  works.  Believe  me  that  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father  in 
me :  or  else  believe  me  for  the  very  works'  sake.  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto 
you,  He  that  believeth  on  me,  the  works  that  I  do  shall  he  do  also ;  and 
greater  works  than  these  shall  he  do ;  because  I  go  unto  my  Father.  And 
whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name,  that  will  I  do,  that  the  Father  may 
be  glorified  in  the  Son.     If  ye  shall  ask  anything  in  my  name,  I  will  do  it. 

If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  commandments  :  and  I  will  pray  the  Father,  and 
he  shall  give  you  another  Comforter,  that  he  may  abide  with  you  forever ; 
even  the  Spirit  of  truth ;  whom  the  world  cannot  receive,  because  it  seeth 
him  not,  neither  knoweth  him :  but  ye  know  him ;  for  he  dwelleth  with 
you,  and  shall  be  in  you.  I  will  not  leave  you  comfortless  :  I  will  come  to 
you.  Yet  a  little  while,  and  the  world  seeth  me  no  more ;  but  ye  see  me  : 
because  I  live,  ye  shall  live  also.    At  that  day  ye  shall  know  that  I  am  in 


184  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

my  Father,  and  ye  in  me,  and  I  in  you.  He  that  hath  my  commandments, 
and  keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me  :  aud  he  that  loveth  me,  shall  be 
loved  of  my  Father,  and  I  will  love  him,  and  will  manifest  myself  to  him. 

How  solemn  are  the  parting  words  of  one  we  love  !  Our 
heart's  affections  have  learned  to  twine  themselves,  like 
the  trembling  ivy,  round  the  departing  one,  and  we  feel  as 
if  the  rending  tendrils  would  be  plucked  from  their  roots, 
and  wither  beneath  the  blast.  With  some  such  feelings 
did  the  little  band  of  disciples  listen  to  the  words  of  their 
loving  Saviour,  as  they  fell  upon  their  ears,  "  Now  I  go 
my  way  to  Him  that  sent  me  "  (John  xvi,  4 — 7). 

And  was  it  really  so,  that  the  One  who  had  loved  them 
as  none  else  could  love  was  going  to  leave  them  ?  Can 
that  indeed  be  the  way  of  Infinite  love,  to  leave  the  sheep 
in  the  wilderness,  over  whom  it  had  wept,  and  watched, 
and  prayed  ?  Yes;  mark  the  words,  "  I  go  my  way."  It 
was  His  way.  It  was  no  accident,  no  unforeseen  occur- 
rence, no  strange  or  capricious  step.  It  was  the  way  of 
deepest  love  to  "go."  Ah!  then  as  now  the  disciple 
must  walk  by  faith.  To  sight,  it  was  all  wrong.  To  faith, 
it  was  all  well.     It  was  God's  way. 

And  why  had  He  not  told  them  this  before  ?  "  Suffi- 
cient for  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof."  God  would  have 
His  children  all  joy.  He  kept  all  sorrow  from  them  till 
the  last  moment.  Not  till  absolutely  necessary  would  He 
have  one  drop  to  fall  on  the  soul.  He  loved  them  too  well 
to  cause  a  needless  tear.  "These  things  I  said  not  unto 
you  at  the  beginning."  Never  till  the  needed  moment, 
the  right  moment,  will  He  speak  that  which  will  grieve  us. 
And  then  it  will  be  only  to  open  behind  the  dark  cloud  a 
rock  we  have  not  seen  as  yet,  that  shall  fill  the  soul  with 
deeper  streams  of  joy  than  ever.      We  look  only  at  this 


PARTING   WORDS.  185 

cloud.  He  looks  at  what  is  behind,  the  deeper  joy  for  the 
soul,  and  says,  "  Nevertheless  I  tell  you  the  truth."  Hard 
and  bitter  as  you  may  think  it.  Strange  as  it  may  seem 
to  you  to  be  told  that  it  is  "  My  way,"  "  I  tell  you  the 
truth ;  it  is  expedient  for  you  that  I  go  away."  What ! 
expedient  for  me !  This  dark  cloud,  this  cutting  sorrow, 
this  crushing  disappointment,  this  bleeding  heart — expe- 
dient !  Yes ;  "  Nevertheless  I  tell  you  the  truth ;  it  is 
expedient  for  you."  You  know  my  love.  I  never  de- 
ceived you  yet.  Trust  me  .now.  You  cannot  see.  Walk 
by  faith.  Remember  who  it  is  that  speaks  to  you — your 
own  tried,  precious  Saviour,  the  One  whom  you  love,  who 
is  everything  to  you.  "/tell  you  the  truth;  it  is  expe- 
dient for  you."  Ah  reader,  child  of  sorrow,  trust  that  pre- 
cious Saviour  !  In  every  wave  that  breaks  over  thy  frail 
bark,  hear  His  voice  whispering  to  thy  soul,  "  My  way." 
"  I  tell  you  the  truth ;  it  is  expedient. for  you." 

And  what  was  the  fault  of  the  disciples  here?  Just 
what  is  always  our  fault  in  sorrow.  "  None  of  you  asketh 
me,  Whither  goest  Thou  ?"  You  nurse  your  sorrow. 
You  weep  and  mourn.  The  heart  goes  heavily.  You  do 
not  come  and  ask  me  about  it.  You  are  trying  to  bear  it 
yourself.  You  cannot.  It  will  crush  you.  Why  are  you 
silent  to  me  ?  Come,  and  look  in  my  face.  Come,  and  lay 
that  burden  on  my  arm.  Come,  and  cast  that  sorrow  on 
my  heart.  0  poor  weary- working,  burdened  one,  come 
and  speak  to  me  about  thy  sorrows !  Is  not  my  arm 
strong  ?  Is  not  my  love  deep  ?  Is  not  my  grace  suffi- 
cient ?  Such  were  some  of  the  Saviour's  last  loving  words 
to  His  sorrowing  ones  on  earth. 

Let  us  notice  a  few  more  in  the  chapter  we  have  chosen 
for  consideration.     How  sweetly  it  opens !     It  is  the  old 


186  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

familiar  word  of  Jesus,  "  Fear  not ;"  "  let  not  your  heart 
be  troubled."  Ah,  it  is  always  the  first  word  in  every 
chapter  that  opens  upon  us  from  His  hand,  whether  of  sor- 
row or  joy  !  It  encourages  us.  Now  we  can  go  forward. 
Come  what  may — whether  His  words  be  dark  and  heavy, 
or  bright  with  heaven's  own  light,  still  "  all  must  be  well." 
We  have  at  the  very  outset  the  sweet  and  familiar  word 
of  One  whom  we  know  and  love,  whom  we  have  tried  and 
found  faithful :  "  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled." 

The  Saviour  was  about  to  leave  them.  The  thought  of 
His  departure  filled  the  hearts  of  His  disciples  with  sor- 
row ;  and  He  says  to  them,  "  Let  not  your  heart  be  trou- 
bled." He  counts  upon  that  departure  being  a  sorrow  to 
their  hearts.  He  counts  upon  their  love  to  Him  in  His 
absence.  He  cheers  them  with  the  blessed  assurance  that 
He  will  come  again.  Just  as  when  a  loved  one  leaving  our 
fireside  for  some  distant  land,  yearns  fondly  over  the  trea- 
sures he  is  leaving  behind,  and  counts  on  their  continued 
love  to  him  in  his  absence,  and  his  last  words  are,  "  I  shall 
soon  come  back  again."  So  with  our  precious  Saviour. 
"  I  will  see  you  again,  and  your  heart  shall  rejoice.'1  "  Ye 
believe  in  God,  believe  also  in  me."  You  see  God  in  all 
His  works ;  you  believe  in  Him,  that  He  is  living,  and 
guiding,  and  ordering  all,  so  believe  in  me.  You  are  cer- 
tain about  God,  be  the  same  with  regard  to  me. 

And  now  He  tells  them  that  all  the  time  He  is  away  He 
will  be  living  for  them,  and  engaged  in  a  great  and  glori- 
ous work.  "  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you."  This  was 
to  be  His  occupation  from  the  moment  He  left.  What 
wondrous  love,  to  give  us  this  sweet  assurance  that  every 
hour  of  His  absence  would  only  be  the  exercise  of  His  heart 
for  them  !     This  was  to  be  the  explanation  of  His  absence. 


PARTING   WORDS.  187 

This  they  were  to  think  of  in  the  loneliness  of  the  way. 
And  then  it  tells  of  His  grace  to  our  souls  !  Sinners  though 
we  are,  and  as  such  anything  should  do  for  us,  yet  even 
heaven  has  to  be  "prepared."  One  whom  we  love  is  on 
his  way  home.  How  the  heart  provides  the  best  and  the 
richest  for  the  expected  guest !  How  the  day  of  arrival  is 
looked  forward  to !  and  no  time,  or  trouble,  or  expense 
seems  enough  to  lay  out  in  preparation.  So  it  is  with 
Jesus  toward  us.  We  are  on  our  way  home.  What  a  rich 
and  glorious  preparation  is  going  on  to  welcome  us ! 
Nothing  is  too  great  or  good.  Even  heaven  itself  must  be 
made  as  glorious  as  only  His  love  can  make  it,  for  so  great 
a  guest  as  sinners  like  ourselves  !  Surely  this  is  love  like 
His — love  that  no  heart  can  compass,  no  thought  can  ex- 
press ! 

And  mark  the  cluster  of  blessings  which  crowd  around. 
"  I  will  come  again  " — not  as  a  king,  not  as  a  ruler,  not  as 
a  visitor,  though  all  this  will  be  true — but  to  "  receive  you 
unto  myself!'  The  thought  of  His  coming  is  joy  to  our 
souls ;  but  oh,  when  it  is  associated  with  the  thought  that 
it  is  to  receive  us,  to  clasp  us  to  His  bosom,  to  have  us  al- 
ways in  His  presence,  never  again  to  leave  us,  nor  we  to 
leave  Him — this  is  fullness  of  joy  ! 

And  what  poor  worms  of  the  dust  we  are !  How  un- 
worthy of  Him  or  His  love  !  Though  He  had  "  been  so  long 
time  "  with  the  disciples,  yet  Thomas  and  Philip  knew  Him 
not.  How  like  ourselves  !  How  long  may  He  be  with  us, 
and  how  little  we  may  know  Him  !  And  yet  our  ignorance 
and  sin  only  draw  out  further  revelations  of  His  love.  He 
makes  the  blind  and  ignorant  confession  we  make  an  op- 
portunity of  revealing  Himself.  "  I  am  the  way,  the  truth, 
and  the  life."    Mark  the  significance  of  these  words.    You 


188  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

wish  to  go  to  some  distant  town.  The  way  to  it  is  at  your 
own  door.  The  way  to  any  place  always  lies  at  every  man's 
own  door.  Just  so  Christ  is  "the  way."  He  is  at  our 
very  door.  He  says  to  us,  "  Walk  on  me:"  "I  am  the 
way."  And  that  way  is  the  link  that  connects  the  home 
from  which  we  set  out  with  the  place  we  are  going  to.  So 
with  Jesus.  He  is  "  the  way."  Every  step  you  tread, 
from  the  very  first  till  you  reach  the  city,  is  Jesus — "  Jesus 
only."  If  there  be  not  a  way,  then  you  can  never  reach 
your  destination.  If  you  be  not  in  Jesas,  the  true  "  way," 
how  can  you  ever  reach  the  city  of  God  ? 

But  more.  When  you  are  on  the  way,  you  want  above 
all  things  to  be  sure  that  it  is  the  right  one.  You  are  a 
stranger.  You  look  anxiously  round  for  a  finger-post  or 
for  some  traveler  to  tell  you  it  is  the  true  way  you  are 
walking  in.  Thus  we  have  the  next  point — "  the  truth." 
Jesus  is  the  "way."  Jesus  is  the  "true"  way.  Go  on, 
traveler,  thus,  and  you  will  be  sure  to  reach  the  Father's 
dwelling. 

But  more.  You  are  a  poor,  needy  creature.  On  that 
way  your  life  must  be  sustained.  You  must  have  life  kept 
up  on  the  way,  and  life  kept  up  when  you  reach  your  des- 
tination. This,  too,  is  met  next  in  Jesus.  "I  am  the 
life."  Thus,  dear  fellow  traveler  to  Canaan,  in  Him  we 
have,  at  our  very  door,  all  we  need — a  "  way,"  a  "  true  " 
and  "  living  "  way.  Jesus  only,  our  life  in  starting ;  Jesus 
only,  our  life  on  the  way ;  Jesus  only,  our  life  when  we 
reach  the  long-loved  dwelling. 

And  mark :  "  No  man  cometh  unto  the  Father  but  by 
me."  He  does  not  say  "  God."  Ah,  every  man  will  have 
to  stand  before  God.  It  is  those  only  who  go  by  Jesus  that 
will  reach  the  Father.     It  tells  us  we  are  children,  related 


PARTING   WORDS.  189 

by  the  nearest  and  dearest  of  ties.  It  tells  us  of  a  home  far 
beyond,  and  a.  family,  and  a  rich  table,  and  all  the  endear- 
ments of  the  heart.  You  may  take  your  own  way,  if  you 
like,  and  the  end  will  be  that  you  will  reach  God — but  it 
will  be  a  God  out  of  Christ.  It  will  be  God  without  the 
Father.  It  will  be  judgment  and  terror,  and  justice  and 
wrath.  If  you  want  to  see  the  Father,  either  now  or  here- 
after, you  must  come  by  Jesus.  He  is  the  only  way  laid 
down  by  Heaven,  but  laid  down  at  your  very  door. 

Yet,  ignorant  and  slow  as  the  disciples  were,  there  is 
only  one  thing  that  will  "  suffice."  "  Lord,  show  us  the 
Father,  and  it  sufficeth  us."  He  is  the  only  One  that  can 
meet  man's  heart.  He  is  a  stranger  in  the  wiidern  >ss. 
He  has  no  home — no  loving  hand  to  lead  him  on.  The 
cry  of  his  heart  is,  "  I  want  a  Father."  Jesus  is  that 
Father.  In  Him  the  wilderness  ends.  In  Him  the  table  is 
spread.     The  heart  rests.     Its  joy  is  full.     It  is  "  sufficed." 

"  He  that  hath  seen  me  hath  seen  the  Father ;"  "  believe 
me  that  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father  in  me."  These 
words  contain  a  deep  truth  on  which  the  intellect  of  the 
day  would  do  well  to  meditate.  If  you  wanted  to  see  the 
whole  world,  and  some  one  presented  you  with  a  map,  you 
would  have  on  that  map  all  that  you  needed.  If  you  were 
taken  and  shown  that  world,  you  would  see  nothing  more 
than  what  you  had  seen  on  the  map.  The  difference  would 
be,  not  in  the  reality  of  the  thing,  but  in  the  expansion  of 
the  reality.  Or  if  you  wanted  to  see  all  the  glorious  ob- 
jects that  hang  over  our  heads  on  a  starry  night,  and  some 
one  gave  you  a  sketch  of  them  exactly  as  they  are,  you 
would  need  no  more,  even  though,  some  hand  might  lead 
you  to  each  planet.  When  you  had  seen  all,  you  would 
but  have  seen  the  sketch  expanded.  To  the  reality  your 
soaring  could  add  nothing. 


190  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

Just  so  is  Jesus  to  us.  He  is  as  the  sketch,  the  plan, 
the  pattern  of  the  reality.  "  No  man  hath  seen  God  at 
any  time;  the  only  begotten  Son,  in  the  bosom  of  the 
Father,  He  hath  declared  Rim!'  "  He  that  hath  seen  me 
hath  seen  the  Father."  He  is  the  great  Unseen,  condensed 
as  it  were.  He  is  the  Invisible,  accommodated  to  man's 
vision,  to  man's  grasp.  If  it  were  even  possible  to  see 
God,  you  could  see  nothing  more  than  you  see  in  Jesus. 
After  your  loftiest  attainments,  you  have  seen  only  an  ex- 
pansion. 

Jesus  is  the  point  of  contact  between  the  Infinite  Jeho- 
vah on  one  side,  and  finite  man  on  the  other.  Man  cannot 
sound  the  depths  of  space  and  eternity  to  see  God.  And 
yet  he  must  see  Him.  How  ?  If  the  thing  is  to  be  ac- 
complished, it  must  be  by  the  Infinite  meeting  man.  So 
God  came  within  man's  grasp  by  taking  a  body.  Now 
man  can  grasp  God — the  Infinite,  Invisible,  Unsearchable 
Jehovah — in  the  person  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  What  a  bless- 
ing for  the  ever-soaring  intellect !  What  a  resting-place 
when,  after  struggling  and  striving,  it  returns  baffled  from 
the  endeavor — the  vain  endeavor  -  to  grasp  the  Infinite  ! 
What  a  resting-place  at  the  feet  of  Jesus — there,  without 
the  stretching  of  the  faculties  or  the  groping  of  the  intel- 
lect to  look  into  the  face  of  Jesus  and  see  the  face,  the  look, 
the  smile  of  God ! 

Mark  another  thought  connected  with  this,  poor  searcher 
after  God !  Suppose  it  were  possible  for  thee  to  grasp  the 
Infinite.  Yet  that  which  the  mind  is  able  to  comprehend 
comes  in  course  of  time  to  lose  its  power  over  it.  It  be- 
comes a  tame  thing.  The  mind  soars  on  to  something  be- 
yond. How  then  is  this  yearning  of  man's  immortal  soul 
to  be  met?     The  mind  must  have  a  God  that  it  can  com- 


PASTING  WORDS.  191 

prehend,  and  yet  He  must  be  of  such  a  nature  as  to  be  in- 
comprehensible— One  that,  no  matter  how  much  the  mind 
can  grasp,  it  will  always  find  behind  something  it  has  not 
reached.  To  this  question  no  answer  could  ever  have  been 
given  had  not  Jesus  come.  The  mind  can  grasp  Him,  and 
yet  there  is  God  in  Him,  so  that,  let  man  soar  as  high  as 
he  may,  there  is  always  that  behind  which  no  mind  has 
ever  reached,  or  can  reach.  "  He  that  has  seen  me  hath 
seen  the  Father."  What  a  sweet  resting-place  for  the  lofty 
intellect  of  man  !  Oh  how  beautiful  does  intellect  appear 
when  seen  reposing  at  the  feet  of  Jesus !  Yes,  He  is  the 
point  of  contact  between  the  finite  and  the  Infinite,  between 
God  and  man  ;  with  "  all  the  fullness  "  of  the  infinite  God 
treasured  up  in  Him  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  perfect  na- 
ture of  man  on  the  other,  sin  only  excepted. 

And  observe  the  spiritual  significance  of  our  Lord's  fol- 
lowing words,  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  He  that 
believeth  on  me,  the  works  that  I  do  shall  he  do  also ;  and 
greater  works  than  these  shall  he  do."  Our  power  of  work- 
ing effectually  for  God  is  not  believing  in  ourselves,  but  in 
the  heart  being  fixed  on  Jesus — "  He  that  believeth  on 
me."  Yes,  there  is  the  secret  of  great  works.  There  is 
the  source  of  all  spiritual  success.  The  more  whole-hearted 
you  are  for  Christ,  the  more  will  you  work,  and  work  ef- 
fectually. You  can  do  with  this  what  you  could  not  do 
with  all  your  self-reliance  or  qualifications  and  endow- 
ments. 0  Christian  reader,  forget  it  not !  Let  nothing 
come  between  your  heart  and  the  Saviour,  for  then  you 
will  "  sow  much,  but  bring  in  little ;  you  will  eat,  but  you 
will  not  have  pnough ;  you  will  drink,  but  you  will  not  be 
filled  with  drink ;  you  will  clothe  you,  but  not  be  warm ; 
you  will  earn  wages,  but  only  to  put  it  into  a  bag  with 
hoW 


192  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

And  observe  the  two  closing  verses  of  this  portion  of 
God's  word.  "  At  that  day  ye  shall  know  that  I  am  in 
my  Father,  and  ye  in  me,  and  i"  in  you.  He  that  hath 
my  commandments,  and  keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth 
me ;  and  he  that  loveth  me  shall  be  loved  of  my  Father, 
and  I  will  love  him,  and  will  manifest  myself  to  him." 
Mark  the  effect  of  the  Spirit's  descent.  They  were  to  be 
conscious  of  a  new  union.  Jesus  had  been  with  them  be- 
fore, and  they  with  Him.  Now  they  should  see  that  He 
was  in  them  and  they  in  Him.  Precious  bond  !  Holy  and 
indissoluble  connection  !  And  this  is  the  standing  of  every 
child  of  God  now.  He  is  ''in  Christ"  before  God ;  and 
whatever  Christ  is,  he  is  also  :  and  Christ  is  "  in  him  " 
down  here — his  life,  his  joy,  his  all. 

But  how  is  the  sweet  assurance  of  this  to  be  experi- 
enced by  the  soul  ?  Mark  the  connection  between  it  and 
what  follows.  "  He  that  hath  my  commandments,  and 
keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me."  It  is  by  holiness 
of  life.  It  is  by  having  the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus  in  us, 
and  the  heart  and  conscience  brought  under  their  power. 
It  is  thus  we  shall  realize  joy  and  peace.  Thus  shall  we 
prove  our  love  to  the  Saviour.  Thus  shall  we  know  that 
we  are  "loved  of  the  Father."  Thus  will  the  Lord  Jesus 
"  manifest  Himself"  to  us,  and  we  shall  feel  that  religion 
is  a  deep,  a  true  reality.  Thus  only  shall  we  know  that 
which  not  many  know  in  these  days,  the  fullness  of  joy, 
the  calmness  of  peace,  and  the  victory  over  the  world,  from 
our  souls  being  the  dwelling-place  of  the  Father  and  the 
Son.  0  reader,  keep  Christ's  commandments  !  Walk  in 
the  light !  Be  satisfied  with  no  present  attainment.  Press 
on  more  earnestly.  Cling  more  than  ever  to  Jesus.  Aim 
higher  each  day.     Seek  the  peace  and  joy  of  true  religion 


PARTING   WORDS.  193 

— not  from  brethren,  not  from  doctrines  or  creeds,  but 
from  close  personal  communion  with.  Jesus  Himself.  Go 
to  the  fountain.  Go  daily.  Every  other  source  is  but  a 
broken  cistern.  0  keep  near  Jesus  !  Have  done  forever 
with  all  else  but  Jesus.  Have  a  whole  heart,  a  full  heart, 
a  loving  heart,  a  ready  heart  for  Jesus,  "  in  season  and  out 
of  season."  So  God  will  bless  you;  and  thus — only  thus 
— will  you  be  a  happy  Christian,  and  a  living  witness  for 
Christ. 

I  have  not  looked  upon  that  rainbow-girded  throne, 

Where  Thou,  my  Saviour,  sittest ; 
I  have  not  seen  Thy  robe  of  light,  Thy  dazzling  crown, 

Eternal  King  of  glory ! 
I  have  not  been  where  tens  of  thousands  stand 

To  minister  before  Thee ; 
I  have  not  entered  yet  that  beauteous  far-off  land, 

Or  trod  Thy  Father's  mansions ; 

'Tis  true — I  have  not  seen  Thee, 

And  yet  I  think  I  love  Thee. 
I  have  not  seen  Thee  walking  on  this  dark,  sad  earth, 

A  way-worn  Man  of  sorrow, 
With  bitter  shame  and  grief  acquainted  from  Thy  birth, 

A  King,  despised,  rejected  ; 
I  cannot  call  to  mind  Thy  thorn-encircled  brow, 

Bedewed  with  drops  of  anguish ; 
I  have  not  traced  the  print  of  wounds,  still  bleeding  now, 

With  rude  and  daring  finger : 

But  though  I  have  not  seen  Thee, 

Thy  grace  has  made  me  love  The 
I  have  not  seen  Thee  yet  as  David's  holy  Son, 

With  all  Thy  saints  appearing, 
To  make  earth's  kingdoms — long,  alas !  usurped — Thine  own, 

To  rule  and  reign  forever ; 
But  faith  expects  to  see  the  glorious  vision  still, 

And  waits  with  eager  longing. 
My  Saviour,  hasten :  come ;  Thy  precious  word  fulfill : 

Oh  !  give  Thy  promised  blessing 

To  those  who  have  not  seen  Thee, 

And  yet,  believing,  love  Thee. 

13 


194    COUNSELS   FB.OM    THE   WOEDS   OF    TRUTH. 


THE    COMING    OF    CHKIST. 
Psalm  1,  3—6. 

Our  God  shall  come,  and  shall  not  keep  silence :  a  fire  shall  devour  be- 
fore him,  and  it  shall  be  very  tempestuous  round  about  him.  He  shall 
call  to  the  heavens  from  above,  and  to  the  earth,  that  he  may  judge  his 
people.  Gather  my  saints  together  unto  me ;  those  that  have  made  a  cove- 
nant with  me  by  sacrifice.  And  the  heavens  shall  declare  his  righteous- 
ness :  for  God  is  judge  himself.    Selah. 

We  stand  on  the  eve  of  one  of  the  greatest  events  the  world 
has  ever  witnessed.  Signs  are  multiplying  on  every  side 
of  us,  compared  with  which  there  has  been  no  parallel  either 
in  the  history  of  the  Church  or  the  world.  One  of  the 
greatest  changes  to  both  hangs  upon  this  great  event.  It 
is  the  coming  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  the  second  time, 
in  power  and  glory,  to  bring  all  things  in  subjection  to  Him- 
self, and  to  be  "  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords."  Let 
us  see  what  the  psalmist  says  of  this  event  in  the  passage 
under  consideration. 

The  first  word  is  a  striking  one — "  Our  God."  It  is  the 
family  word.  None  but  the  child  can  use  it.  That  child 
is  one  of  the  family.  He  is  related  to  his  heavenly  Father. 
He  has  been  redeemed  and  brought  nigh  by  the  blood  of 
Christ.  He  is  in  the  bonds  of  the  everlasting  covenant. 
He  is  a  joint-heir  with  Christ.     He  can  look  up  and  say, 


THE    COMING   OF    CHRIST.  195 

"  My  beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am  His."  He  will  be  able  to 
say  with  joy;  when  the  Lord  shall  descend  from  heaven  in 
naming  fire,  "  Lo,  this  is  our  God ;  we  have  waited  for 
Him,  and  He  will  save  us :  this  is  the  Lord ;  we  have 
waited  for  Him;  we  will  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  His  salva- 
tion." Yes,  it  is  the  family  word.  He  who  now  puts  into 
our  lips  the  sweet  word,  "Our  Father,"  enables  us  to  look 
forward  to  that  solemn  hour,  and  say,  "  Our  God." 

We  are  about  to  meditate  on  a  solemn  scene  —  God 
coming  down  to  this  earth  in  a  human  form  as  a  devour- 
ing fire,  with  storms  and  tempests  raging  around  Him. 
Oh,  how  necessary  to  be  able  to  say,  before  we  gaze  upon 
it,  "  Our  God !"  What  will  it  be  if  we  cannot  say,  "  Our 
God"?  With  what  feelings  of  terror  and  alarm  must  it 
be  viewed,  unless  we  can  say  in  prospect,  "  Our  God  " ! 
Make  sure  of  this,  reader,  before  you  go  one  step  farther. 
Only  this  can  make  you  calm  in  the  prospect,  and  in  the 
reality,  when  it  comes,  to  be  able  to  say,  "  Our  God." 
Therefore  it  is  that  the  Holy  Spirit  puts  this  little  word 
first,  on  which  we  may  dwell  earnestly,  solemnly,  search- 
ingly,  before  we  proceed  to  that  which  follows. 

"  Our  God  shall  come,  and  shall  not  keep  silence."  In 
order  clearly  to  understand  what  is  meant  here  by  God 
"  not  keeping  silence,"  we  must  refer  to  the  closing  part 
of  the  chapter,  from  the  sixteenth  verse  to  the  twenty- 
second.  "  But  unto  the  wicked  God  saith,  What  hast  thou 
to  do  to  declare  my  statutes,  or  that  thou  shouldest  take  my 
covenant  in  thy  mouth  ?  Seeing  thou  hatest  instruction, 
and  castest  my  words  behind  thee.  When  thou  sawest 
a  thief,  then  thou  consentedst  with  him,  and  hast  been 
partaker  with  adulterers.  Thou  givest  thy  mouth  to  evil, 
and  thy  tongue  frameth  deceit.     Thou  sittest  and  speakest 


19G  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

against  thy  brother ;  thou  slanderest  thine  own  mother's 
son.  These  things  hast  thou  done,  and  I  kept  silence  ;  thou 
thoughtest  that  I  was  altogether  such  an  one  as  thyself." 
Here  God  reviews  the  character  of  the  wicked  in  this  dis- 
pensation. It  is  exactly  what  has  been  going  on  in  our 
world  for  the  last  six  thousand  years.  Men  have  been 
taking  God's  covenant  "  in  their  mouth;"  in  other  words, 
making  a  profession  of  religion,  while  all  the  time  the 
power  of  religion  has  been  absent.  Underneath  this  pro- 
fession, sin  and  iniquity  of  the  worst  form  has  been  carried 
on.  Men  have  really  been  "  hating  "  God,  and  "  casting 
His  words  behind  them."  "Theft,"  "adultery,"  "evil," 
"  deceit,"  "  false  witness,"  "  slander  " — have  not  all  these 
things  been  going  on  in  the  world  at  a  fearful  speed  ?  All 
this  while  God  has  "  kept  silence."  He  has  not  interfered 
to  strike  men  down  in  such  acts  with  His  arm  of  judg- 
ment; so  they  begin  to  say,  "'  Where  is  God?'  Tush! 
'  doth  God  see  ?'  If  there  be  a  God,  why  does  He  not  in- 
terfere ?  Either  there  is  none,  or  else  He  is  '  altogether 
such  an  one  as  ourselves.'  "  Thus  the  world  has  gone  on 
— the  wicked  "  nourishing  as  a  green  bay  tree,"  the  right- 
eous returning  with  a  "full  cup"  of  tears,  and  God  keep- 
ing silence.  But  it  shall  not  always  be  so.  "  Our  God 
shall  come,  and  shall  not  keep  silence."  He  shall  come  and 
"  reprove  "  man,  and  "  set  "  each  act  and  deed  "  in  order  " 
"  before  the  eyes  "  of  the  wicked.  It  is  interesting  to  no- 
tice how  nearly  all  the  features  of  the  wicked,  described  in 
this  chapter,  and  which  history  has  endorsed  as  the  domi- 
nant principles  in  the  world,  are  again  reproduced  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  in  the  third  chapter  of  St.  Paul's  Second  Epis- 
tle to  Timothy,  and  which  are  to  be  more  prominently  de- 
veloped— as  the  flower  from  the  bud — in  the  last  days. 


THE   COMING   OF    CHRIST.  107 

And  what  are  to  be  the  heralds  of  the  Lord's  coming  ? 
"  A  fire  shall  devour  before  Him,  and  it  shall  be  very  tem- 
pestuous round  about  him."  Here  again  the  Holy  Spirit 
confirms  this  testimony  by  St.  Paul :  "  And  to  you  who  are 
troubled  rest  with  us,  when  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  be  re- 
vealed from  heaven  with  His  mighty  angels,  in  flaming  fire 
taking  vengeance  on  them  that  know  not  God,  and  that 
obey  not  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ :  who  shall 
be  punished  with  everlasting  destruction  from  the  presence 
of  the  Lord,  and  from  the  glory  of  His  power."  Yes,  from 
one  end  of  Christendom  to  the  other,  one  piercing  cry  shall 
rend  the  heavens :  "Ye  rocks  and  hills,  fall  upon  us,  and 
hide  us  from  the  presence  of  the  Lamb."  The  entreaty, 
earnest  and  loud,  will  then  be  heard  from  many  a  lip  that 
now  scorns  the  preaching  of  the  Cross  :  "  Lord,  Lord,  open 
to  us."  But  "  too  late."  Why  should  men  clamor  as  to 
the  question  of  hell,  whether  or  not  it  will  be  material  fire  ? 
Memory  will  play  a  conspicuous  part  in  that  day.  The 
recollection  of  grace  so  freely  offered,  but  vilely  spurned, 
and  this  for  a  lifetime,  will  make  man's  existence  a  hell, 
compared  with  which  the  torment  of  material  fire  and  brim- 
stone will  be  as  nothing.  It  shall  be  "very  tempestuous." 
The  nations  shall  be  at  their  wits'  end.  The  ties  of  nature 
and  of  society  shall  be  set  at  nought.  Men's  lusts  and 
passions  shall  have  unbridled  course.  They  shall  run  to 
and  fro.  Knowledge  shall  increase.  Men's  hearts  on  all 
siaes  will  be  "  failing  them  for  fear,  looking  after  those 
things  that  are  coming  on  the  earth."  A  few  will  lift  up 
their  heads,  in  that  universal  wreck  and  ruin,  calmly  and 
joyfully ;  for  they  know  their  redemption  is  nigh,  their  hour 
of  triumph  at  hand.  Oh,  to  stand  among  that  little  band 
in  that  awful  hour,  and  be  able  to  say,  "  Our  God  "! 


198  COUNSELS  FEOM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

But  what  will  the  Lord  do  then  ?  "  He  shall  call  to 
the  heavens  from  above,  and  to  the  earth,  that  He  may 
judge  His  people."  He  shall  call  to  the  heavens — to  the 
spirits  of  the  departed  ones — those  who  have  lived  and 
died  in  the  Lord,  and  are  now  with  Jesus;  "and  to  the 
earth  " — to  the  bodies  now  in  dust,  that  the  spirits  may 
again  inhabit  them.  Not  only  so;  He  shall  call  to  the 
earth — to  the  saints  of  the  Lord  then  alive  and  remaining. 
The  loved  ones  who  have  left  us,  and  those  who  remain, 
shall  be  called  by  His  voice.  Again  the  Spirit  of  God  con- 
firms this  testimony  by  St.  Paul :  "  For  this  we  say  unto 
you  by  the  word  of  the  Lord,  that  we  which  are  alive  and 
remain  unto  the  coming  of  the  Lord  shall  not  prevent  them 
which  are  asleep.  For  the  Lord  Himself  shall  descend 
from  heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the  voice  of  the  archangel, 
and  with  the  trump  of  God :  and  the  dead  in  Christ  shall 
rise  first :  then  we  which  are  alive  and  remain  shall  be 
caught  up  together  with  them  in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the 
Lord  in  the  air :  and  so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord." 
The  word  rendered  "  then  "  (s-stra)  in  this  passage,  may 
be  more  correctly  rendered  "  after  that,"  and  shows  us  that 
some  interval  may  elapse  between  the  meeting  of  the  dead 
saints  and  the  living  ones  before  they  are  taken  up  to  meet 
the  Lord  in  the  air.  At  some  solemn  and  unexpected  mo- 
ment, when  perhaps  we  may  be  in  the  railway  carriage,  in 
the  street,  in  the  house,  or  at  the  counter,  we  shall  sud- 
denly become  the  subjects  of  an  instantaneous  and  myste- 
rious change  ;  and  at  the  same  moment  we  shall  find  at  our 
very  sides  those  whom  we  loved  on  earth,  but  from  whom 
death  had  parted  us.  There  shall  be  an  interval.  The 
fond  greeting,  the  loved  embrace,  the  outburst  of  joy  shall 
fill  it  up.     Then  all  shall  rise  together  at  one  and  the  same 


THE   COMING  OF   CHRIST.  199 

Bummons  from  on  high,  "  and  so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the 
Lord."  "  Ever  with  the  Lord!"  Oh,  the  joy  of  those 
words !  Here  thought  fails ;  the  lips  falter ;  the  mind 
shrinks.  Eternity  alone  can  tell  their  depth.  We  wait  to 
sound  their  meaning.  Who  would  not  say,  in  such  a  world 
of  sin,  and  sorrow,  and  death,  as  this,  "  Come,  Lord  Jesus, 
come  quickly  ?" 

But  mark  the  psalmist's  words.  Who  are  they  that  are 
called  ?  "  Gather  my  saints  together  unto  me."  What  an 
expressive  word — "  My  saints  " !  How  the  Lord  appro- 
priates them  as  His  own!  "  They  shall  be  mine,  in  that 
day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels."  What  precious  words 
— " my  saints,"  "my  jewels"!  What  sinful,  erring  crea- 
tures we  are  !  How  do  we  daily  and  hourly  provoke  the 
Lord  who  loves  us  !  What  naughty  children  the  Lord  has 
to  manage !  How  He  may  say  of  us  as  Moses  said  of  Is- 
rael, "  Ye  have  been  rebellious  against  the  Lord  since  the 
day  that  I  knew  you  " !  and  yet,  "my  saints  '"  "  my  jewels !" 
Oh,  what  grace !  what  wondrous  love  ! 

Mark  another  word  here.  "  Gather  my  saints."  "  He 
shall  gather  the  lambs  in  His  arms."  He  shall  "gather" 
them  as  a  shepherd  his  sheep  in  the  hour  of  weakness  and 
danger — the  weak  ones,  the  nervous  ones,  those  who  start 
at  a  shadow  and  tremble  at  the  fluttering  of  a  leaf.  They 
shall  not  be  weak  or  nervous  then.  The  frail  body  shall 
be  dropped  forever,  and  they  shall  be  clasped  in  an  embrace 
such  as  they  have  never  known  on  earth,  to  a  bosom  of 
infinite  love. 

But  observe  the  next  word.  "  Gather  my  saints  to- 
gether." It  is  the  family  meeting ;  it  is  the  grand  re-union  ; 
it  is  the  glad  assembly.  We  shall  not  rise  to  meet  the 
Lord  individually — in  isolations ;  we  shall  be  gathered  to- 


200     COUNSELS    FROM    THE    WORDS    OF   TRUTH. 

gether.  So*  the  apostle  speaks  of  our  "  gathering  together 
unto  Him."  And  again,  "  "We  which  are  alive  and  remain- 
shall  be  caught  up  together  with  them!'  No  more  separa- 
tions ;  no  more  divisions ;  no  more  discords ;  no  more  sects 
or  systems  :  all  together  !  One  mind,  one  heart,  one  joy, 
one  glad  meeting,  without  the  shadow  of  a  farewell  ever 
darkening  its  shores !  What  heart  does  not  bound  at  the 
thought  ? 

And  yet  one  word  more — the  sweetest  of  all — "  unto 
me."  Ah  i  what  would  all  the  others  be  without  this  ? 
Nothing,  nothing,!  The  foam,  the  dust,  the  shadow,  the 
air  I  What  would  that  meeting  be  without  Jesus  ?  What 
is  any  meeting  without  Him  ?  The  very  notes  of  heaven 
would  be  discord.  Its  jasper  walls  would  be  hideous.  Its 
very  air  would  be  oppressive.  It  would  all  be  dreariness, 
and  darkness,  and  death.  With  His  name  eYerj  song  is 
sweet.  In  His  smile  every  countenance  is  bright.  Every 
chord  of  the  golden  harps  will  vibrate  with  His  praise. 
Every  voice  will  be  vocal  with  His  name.  Jesus,  Jesus, 
Jesus: — throughout  eternity.  For  this  the  Lord  Him- 
self prays:  "  Father,  I  will  that  they  also  whom  Thou 
hast  given  me  be  with  me  where  I  am,  that  they  may 
behold  my  glory."  Love  can  only  be  satisfied  with  the 
presence  of  its  object.  So  with  the  Saviour.  He  longs 
for  us.  He  waits  for  us.  We  must  be  with  Him.  How 
can  He  be  happy  without  us  ? 

But  who  are  those  thus  gathered  ?  Mark  it  well,  reader : 
"  Those  that  have  made  a  covenant  with  me  by  sacrifice." 
They  are  those  who  have  made  a  covenant  with  God  through 
the  sacrifice  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  They  are  the  blood- 
bought  ones.  They  are  those  who  have  cast  themselves 
— all  sin  and  guilt,  helpless  and  undone — on  the  finished 


THE    COMING    OF   CHRIST.  201 

work  of  the  Lord  Jesus.     They  are  those  who  cry  from 
the  depths  of  their  hearts — 

"  Other  refuge  have  I  none  : 
,         Hangs  my  helpless  soul  on  Thee." 

Reader,  have  you  done  this  ?  If  you  have  not,  you  are 
not  in  the  covenant ;  and  if  you  are  not  in  that  covenant 
now,  can  you  think  of  that  meeting  ?  You  may  hide  this 
sad  picture  from  your  conscience,  or,  worse  than  all,  charge 
your  sin  on  God  by  a  series  of  excuses.  But  it  will  not 
avail  then.  Mark  the  next  verse  :  "The  heavens  shall  de- 
clare His  righteousness;  for  God  is  judge  Himself."  His 
righteous  dealings  will  then  be  acknowledged  by  every  lip, 
and  felt  by  every  heart.  Even  the  wicked  shall  be  com- 
pelled to  own  it.  And  not  only  so,  but  righteousness  shall 
be  written  on  everything,  as  it  never  has  been  yet.  And 
why?  "For  God  is  judge  Himself."  He  shall  be  judge 
in  the  earth,  and  the  result  will  be  righteous  judgment. 
Misrule,  injustice,  oppression,  will  all  end  then.  "  Bight- 
eousness  shall  cover  the  earth,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea." 

And  what  is  the  practical  lesson  from  all  this,  for  the 
world  as  well  as  God's  people  ?  There  is  a  word  for  each 
at  the  close  of  this  chapter.  "  Ye  that  forget  God,  con- 
sider this."  Unconverted  reader,  weigh  it  well,  lest  God 
"tear  thee  in  pieces."  The  day  is  at  hand.  Consider. 
Flee  to  Jesus.  He  is  your  only  hope.  Out  of  Him  you 
are  not  safe  for  a  moment.  Be  warned,  and  haste  to  the 
refuge. 

Christian,  "order  your  conversation" — or  citizenship — 
"  aright."  Aim  to  glorify  Jesus.  Let  His  praise  fill  your 
heart.  Let  His  image  be  clearly  written  on  every  act  of 
your  life.     Be  wlcole-liearted  for  Christ. 


202  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

"  To  him  that  overcometh  will  I  grant  to  sit  with  me  in 
my  throne,  even  as  I  also  overcame,  and  am  set  down  with 
my  Father  in  His  throne.  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him 
hear,  what  the  Spirit  saith  unto  the  churches." 

Not  here,  not  here ;  not  where  the  sparkling  waters 

Fade  into  mocking  sands  as  we  draw  near, 
Where  in  the  wilderness  each  footstep  falters ; 

'*  I  shall  be  satisfied,"  but  oh !  not  here. 

Not  here,  where  all  the  dreams  of  bliss  deceive  us, 
Where  the  worn  spirit  never  gains  its  goal ; 

Where,  haunted  ever  by  the  thoughts  that  grieve  us, 
Across  us  floods  of  bitter  memory  roll. 

There  is  a  land  where  every  pulse  is  thrilling 
With  rapture  earth's  sojourners  may  not  know; 

Where  heaven's  repose  the  weary  heart  is  stilling, 
And  peacefully  life's  time-tossed  currents  flow. 

Far  out  of  sight,  while  sorrow  still  enfolds  us, 
Lies  the  fair  country  where  our  hearts  abide 

And  of  its  bliss  is  nought  more  wondrous  told  us, 
Than  these  few  words — "  I  shall  be  satisfied." 

"  I  shall  be  satisfied  :"  the  spirit's  yearning 
For  sweet  companionship  with  kindred  minds ; 

The  silent  love  that  here  meets  no  returning, 
The  inspiration  which  no  language  finds. 

Shall  they  be  satisfied — the  soul's  vain  longing, 
The  aching  void  which  nothing  earthly  fills  ? 

Oh  what  desires  upon  my  heart  are  thronging, 
As  I  look  upward  to  the  heavenly  hills  t 

Thither  my  weak  and  weary  steps  are  tending: 
Saviour  and  Lord  with  Thy  frail  child  abide ; 

Guide  me  towards  home,  where,  all  my  wanderings  ended, 
I  shall  see  Thee,  and  "shall  be  satisfied." 


THE   COMMUNION    OF   SAINTS.  203 


THE  COMMUNION  OF  SAINTS. 
Malachi  iii,  16. 

Then  they  that  feared  the  Lord  spake  often  one  to  another :  and  the  Lord 
hearkened,  and  heard  it :  and  a  book  of  remembrance  was  written  before 
him  for  them  that  feared  the  Lord,  and  that  thought  upon  his  name. 

We  see  in  these  words  the  existence  of  a  spirit  of  union 
bringing  those  of  kindred  sympathies  into  closer  inter- 
course while  they  were  passing  through  the  sorrows  they 
had  to  endure.  They  that  feared  the  Lord  were  evidently 
a  very  small  remnant  in  the  nation ;  they  were  its  salt, 
and  had  not  lost  their  savor,  yet  they  were  not  sufficient 
for  its  preservation.  In  the  9th  verse  we  have  this  decla- 
ration, "  Ye  are  cursed  with  a  curse,  for  ye  have  robbed 
me,  even  this  whole  nation."  The  tithes  were  not  brought 
into  the  temple ;  those  that  worked  wickedness  were  set 
up,  and  the  proud  were  called  happy.  The  righteous  were 
as  a  lamp  despised ;  the  ways  of  Zion  mourned  ;  none  came 
to  her  solemn  feasts,  and  astonishment  possessed  those  that 
feared  the  Lord.  Things  are  not  very  different  in  our  day, 
and  we  see,  as  the  Psalmist  did,  the  wicked  spreading  him- 
self as  a  green  bay  tree,  provoking  our  envy,  and  exciting 
our  discontent,  unless  we  are  brought  to  understand  his 


204     COUNSELS    FROM    THE    WORDS    OF    TI5UTH. 

end ;  for  of  the  wicked  God  has  said,  "  He  shall  receive  of 
the  fruit  of  his  doings,  and  it  shall  go  ill  with  him."  These 
or  similar  causes  still  exist  to  bring  into  closer  union  those 
who  fear  the  Lord  as  a  source  of  mutual  comfort  and  sup- 
port. As,  therefore,  we  see  that  such  communings  are 
hearkened  to  and  approved  by  the  Lord,  and  such  gracious 
promises  are  made  to  those  who  fear  Him,  we  may  well 
inquire  what  are  their  distinguishing  features,  that  we 
may  see  if  we  have  any  well-grounded  evidence  of  being 
of  the  number.     We  therefore  notice — 

1st.  What  it  is  to  fear  the  Lord. 

2d.  Of  what  they  spoke. 

3d.  That  this  communion  of  the  saints  is  pleasing  to  the 
Lord. 

4th.  The  gracious  declaration  God  has  made  concerning 
them. 

1st.  I  have  heard  the  application  of  these  words  to  many 
who  had,  in  truth,  small  pretensions  to  the  character;  timi- 
dity of  disposition,  morality,  and  natural  meekness  of  spirit 
being  miscalled  godly  fear.  Fear  is  either  natural,  slavish, 
or  filial.  The  first  is  common  to  animal  as  well  as  to  ra- 
tional creatures,  disposing  them  to  avoid  danger  or  evils, 
either  real  or  imaginary.  Slavish  fear  is  seen  in  the  mari- 
ners of  the  ship  in  which  Jonah  was  a  passengei,  and  in 
Felix,  under  Paul's  preaching;  also  in  the  people  brought 
from  Babylon,  of  whom  it  is  said,  in  2  Kings  xvii,  32,  "  So 
they  feared  the  Lord,  and  made  unto  themselves,  of  the 
lowest  of  them,  priests  of  the  high  places."  Filial  fear  is 
distinct  from  both  these,  and  is  that  holy  habit  of  rever- 
ence for  God,  wrought  in  the  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  as 
a  spirit  of  adoption,  by  which  the  soul  is  brought  to  trust 
in  Him,  and  to  have  strong  confidence  in  His  faithfulness. 


THE    COMMUNION    OF    SAINTS.  205 

It  is  a  grace  of  great  activity,  and  is  called  a  fountain  of 
life ;  it  is  a  pure  and  holy  principle,  and  teaches  men  to 
depart  from  iniquity  and  to  hate  evil.  It  is  said  of  Christ 
that  He  shall  be  of  a  "  quick  understanding  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord."  It  may  be  said  to  be  a  principle  that  teaches 
us  respect  for  that  which  is  good,  from  a  pure  love  to  it. 
Its  motives  are  of  the  highest  order,  and  as  the  vicegerent 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  is  the  light  within  us.  It  instructs  the 
conscience,  and  enables  it  to  arrive  at  just  conclusions,  and 
such  as  are  in  harmony  with  the  will  of  God  as  revealed 
in  His  word.  It  may  be  forced,  but  it  cannot  be  silenced, 
and  blessed  is  the  man  who  at  all  times  gives  heed  to  its 
faithful  monitions.  It  is  no  flatterer,  but,  according  to  its 
power,  asserts  the  authority  of  God  in  the  soul,  and  bears 
testimony  to  the  purity  of  the  truth ;  so  that  its  record  on 
the  heart  is  a  testimony  both  to  God's  holiness  and  man's 
corruption.  It  is  not  guided  by  the  traditions,  nor  taught 
by  the  precepts  of  men,  but  by  the  word  of  God.  God's  tes- 
timonies are  the  delight  of  the  soul  that  fears  Him,  and  by 
His  grace  it  adheres  to  them.  His  statutes  are  its  song 
in  the  house  of  its  pilgrimage,  and  when  His  words  are 
found  they  are  the  joy  and  the  rejoicing  of  the  heart.  The 
fear  of  the  Lord,  therefore,  incites  to  good  and  preserves 
from  evil,  and  delivers  from  pride,  arrogance,  and  every 
false  way.  It  makes  its  possessor  tremble  at  God's  word, 
lest  he  fall  into  the  evils  and  errors  it  condemns,  and 
teaches  us  to  choose  affliction  rather  than  iniquity. 

2d.  We  inquire  what  those  who  feared  the  Lord  spoke 
about.  They  were  certainly  not  a  speculative  society,  nor 
one  without  cohesion  and  sympathy,  otherwise  their  com- 
munications would  have  been  less  frequent ;  "  but  they 
spake  often  one  to  another."     Doubtless  they  spoke  of 


206     COUNSELS    FROM   THE   WORDS    OF   TRUTH. 

themselves,  and  of  what  they  once  were ;  this  is  a  common 
topic  with  God's  people.  They  have  a  deep  sense  of  their 
sinfulness,  and  of  the  greatness  of  the  divine  mercy,  as  ex- 
hibited in  their  salvation.  This  consciousness  of  the  Lord's 
unmerited  favor  exercises  a  great  influence  on  them,  and 
they  are  found  expressing  it  frequently,  and  in  a  va- 
riety of  ways,  in  these  holy  songs,  as  well  as  in  their 
friendly  communings.  They  speak  of  the  wondrousness 
of  that  divine  sovereignty  that,  as  an  act  of  grace,  plucked 
them  as  brands  from  the  burning.  Their  admiration  of 
the  entire  plan  of  salvation,  as  devised  by  infinite  wisdom, 
is  a  constant  theme  with  them,  while  they  lament  the  nar- 
rowness of  their  views,  the  shallowness  of  their  thoughts, 
conceptions,  and  feelings  on  this  vast,  deep,  grand  and  glo- 
rious subject.  Thus,  confession  of  their  great  ignorance 
not  unfrequently  occupies  their  time.  When  walking  in 
the  light  and  comfort  of  the  healing  beams  of  the  Sun  ol 
Eighteousness,  they  delight  to  speak  of  special  tokens  of 
the  Lord's  love,  the  sweetness  of  the  promises,  and  the 
blessedness  their  souls  enjoy  when  His  delivering  power  is 
felt  in  the  soul.  But  they  also  know  and  speak  of  the 
watchman's  cry,  "  The  morning  cometh  and  also  the 
night."  They  have  their  changes,  that  fear  God,  and  while 
at  times  they  shout  from  the  tops  of  the  mountains,  at 
others,  feeling  a  horror  of  great  darkness  come  upon  them, 
they  fear  to  call  Him  theirs.  These  gloomy  doubts  are  not 
unfrequently  discussed  by  them,  and  the  burden  of  their 
song  has  been  aptly  expressed  by  Dr.  Watts  : — 

"  Oh !  could  we  make  those  doubts  remove, 
Those  gloomy  doubts  that  rise, 
And  view  the  Canaan  that  we  love 
With  unbeclouded  eyes." 


THE    COMMUNION    OF    SAINTS.  207 

And,  in  the  words  of  Newton,  we  get  another  clue  to  the 
thread  of  their  discourse  : — 

"  I  often  hear  Thy  children  talk, 
And  I  believe  'tis  even  true, 
How  with  delight  Thy  ways  they  walk, 
And  gladly  thy  commandments  do. 

"  I  look  into  my  heart,  and  read 
Accounts  so  very  different  there, 
That  had  I  not  Thy  blood  to  plead, 
The  sight  would  drive  me  to  despair." 

But,  to  abbreviate  these  remarks,  they  talk  of  His  second 
coming  without  sin  unto  salvation  ;  of  the  gospel's  glorious 
sound  reaching  from  pole  to  pole ;  to  that  time  when  Egypt 
will  be  the  third  with  God,  and  Ethiopia  spread  abroad  her 
hands  and  worship.  They  sometimes  talk  of  the  consum- 
mation of  all  things,  the  last  j  udgment,  and  the  everlasting 
happiness  of  all  His  saints.  But,  while  they  thus  talk, 
they  want  a  present,  divine  assurance  that  the  wonders 
which  eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  shall  be  beheld  by 
them,  and  that,  when  He  shall  stand  upon  the  earth  in  the 
latter  days,  they  shall  see  Him  for  themselves,  and  not  for 
another. 

3d.  Their  talking  to  one  another  is  pleasing  to  God. 
What  wondrous  words  must  they  have  uttered  that  Deity 
should  hearken  with  approval !  with  such  approval  that, 
lest  the  subject  matter  of  their  converse  should  pass  into 
oblivion,  "  a  book  of  remembrance  was  written  "  of  it  be- 
fore Him ;  not  to  refresh  the  memory  of  Omniscience,  but 
for  "  them  that  feared  the  Lord,  and  that  thought  upon  His 
name."  What  is  this  "  book  of  remembrance,"  if  not  the 
Bible  ?  In  it  are  recorded  the  sorrows  and  joys,  the  dark- 
ness and  light,  the  bondage  and  liberty,  the  confusion  and 


203  COUNSELS  FROM  THE  WORDS  OF  TRUTH. 

peace,  the  condemnation  and  justification,  the  present  trou- 
bles and  future  felicity  of  His  people.  In  it  are  the  songs 
of  David,  the  sighings  of  Jeremiah,  and  the  psalms  of  Asaph. 
Its  exordium  is  rendered  sad  by  the  murder  of  Abel,  and 
its  peroration  jubilant  by  the  glorious  invitation  to  "  who- 
soever will,"  to  "  take  the  water  of  life  freely."  Herein 
are  accounts  of  wilderness  trials  and  Jehovah-Jireh  deliv- 
erances. Herein  is  the  dialogue  of  those  two  who  walked 
by  the  way  and  were  sad,  while  as  yet  He  who  joined  them 
on  the  road  was  unknown  to  them.  This,  then,  is  the  book 
written  for  them  that  fear  the  Lord,  and  for  those  who 
think  upon  His  name.  This  communion  of  saints  is  well- 
pleasing  to  God,  who  has  exhorted  us  "  to  do  good  and 
communicate  forget  not,  for  with  such  sacrifices  God  is 
well  pleased." 

4th  and  lastly.  The  promise  God  has  made  :  "  They  shall 
be  mine,  saith  the  Lord,  in  the  day  that  I  make  up  my 
jewels,  and  I  will  spare  them  as  a  man  spareth  his  own  son 
that  serveth  him."  The  opposite  of  this  shall  be  the  lot 
of  the  wicked ;  "  reprobate  silver  shall  men  call  them,  be- 
cause the  Lord  hath  rejected  them."  See,  then,  the  doc- 
trine of  our  text ;  our  interchange  of  spiritual  experience, 
whether  the  narrative  of  sorrow  or  joy,  is  well-pleasing,  to 
God,  while  it  is  our  comfort  in  the  land  of  our  affliction. 
But  the  time  will  come  when  sighing  and  sorrowing  shall 
flee  away,  when  we  shall  repose  beside  everlasting  foun- 
tains of  living  water,  solaced  by  the  fruit  of  the  tree 
of  life,  and  raised  to  an  ecstasy  of  delight  by  melodious 
sounds  borne  on  aromatic  breezes.  Then  we  shall  be  en- 
tranced by  the  splendor,  glory,  and  bliss  of  the  beatific 
vision  of  God  and  the  Lamb,  forever  and  ever. 

W.  Hunt. 


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